Publication:

Study of antimicrobial resistance profile and efflux mediated drug resistance in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa detected by ethidium bromide-agar Cartwheel method

Background Development of antibiotic resistance or multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the major causes of treatment failure of bacterial infections and has rapidly evolved into a threat to global health care. Bacterial efflux pumps play a significant role in the development of antibiotic resistance. This study evaluates the prevalence of efflux pump- mediated drug resistance in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa.

Methods Clinical isolates (n=100) of P. aeruginosa were collected from various clinical laboratories in Kerala and their efflux mediated drug resistance detected by the ethidium bromide (EB) agar Cartwheel method.

Results The EB agar cartwheel method of screening revealed efflux activity in 17% (n=17) strains. The efflux activity was revealed at a minimum concentration of EB at 0 mg/l. P. aeruginosa strains showed the highest activity up to a concentration of 2.5 mg/l.

Conclusions This study discusses the emergence of efflux pump- mediated drug resistance in P. aeruginosa from various clinical samples. Our results showed that 17% drug resistance in P. aeruginosa is attributable to efflux related mechanisms.