Detection of BlaVIM and BlaIMP Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas Aeruginosa from Clinical Samples in Iran

Background and Aims: The prevalence of carbapenemaseproducing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) strains has been recently reported worldwide. Therefore, accurate and rapid detection of carbapenemaseproducing isolates is essential. So, this study aimed to detect blaVIM and blaIMP carbapenemaseproducing strains using the modified Hodge test (MHT) and reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). Materials and Methods: In this crosssectional study, P. aeruginosa strains were collected from clinical samples (blood, urine, wound, and other liquids body) in Firoozgar and Shahid Motahari Hospitals in Tehran and Velayat Hospital in Rasht Province, from May to December 2018. After identifying the isolates using the standard microbial tests, carbapenemaseproducing strains were isolated by the modified hodge test. After that, the detection of blaVIM and blaIMP genes was performed by RTPCR technique. Results: One hundred P. aeruginosa were isolated from different clinical samples. Among these, 74 (74%) isolates were considered as carbapenemase positive using MHT. The frequencies of blaVIM and blaIMP genes were obtained as 83% and 11%, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a high level of resistance to most of the antibiotics tested and a high prevalence of blaVIM gene in P. aeruginosa strains.