Detection of bla IMP Gene in Metallo-β-Lactamase Producing Isolates of Imipenem Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; an Alarming Threat

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the major cause of infections. There are two mechanisms by which P. aeruginosa has developed resistance against imipenem: by decreased drug permeability through the outer membrane proteins known as OprD and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) production. Approximately 9 different types of MBL genes have been identified. Among them, bla IMP is the most prevalent one. Collected 200 laboratory isolates subjected for antimicrobial testing. Among them 28% (n =56) P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to imipenem known as Imipenem Resistant P. aeruginosa (IRPA). Among all IRPA isolates; 87.5% (n=49) were found to be MBL producers. The detection of bla IMP gene was done after by ribotyping of IRPA strains. No bla IMP gene detection was present in all these MBL positive P. aeruginosa .