ABSTRACT
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause ofnosocomial infections. Carbapenems are highly effective antibiotics against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. High intrinsic resistance to antibiotics and the ability to develop multidnig resistance pose serious therapeutic problems. Resistance to carbapenems can be mediated by several mechanisms and production of metallo-beta-lactamases [MBL] has assumed increasing importance in recent years Increased mortality rates have been documented for patients infected with MBL producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Therefore, early detection of MBL -producing organisms is crucial . The current study measured the susceptibility patterns of pseudomonas aeruginosa and used one of the phenotyping tests the Imipenem - EDTA disk method, for detection of MBL production strains. 394 consecutive P. aeruginosa isolates were recovered
The great majority of the isolateswas obtained from the wounds [33.5%], sputum [27.9%], urine [7.6%], trachea! aspirate [7.1%], blood [6.1%] and other sources including eye swab, ear swab [17.8%].Most of the sources of infection were obtained from the intensive care unit [2 4.1%] followed by male surgical [10.4%], female surgical [8.9%], male medical [7.6%], female medical [7.4%], and lastly vip ward [0.5%]. High resistance rates were observed for all antibiotic studies