[Plasmid fingerprinting technique analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from a burn unit]

We used plasmid fingerprinting technique to analyse 50 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from our burn unit and 15 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from other wards. The results revealed that the carrier rate of R-plasmid was 100%. All 50 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from burn units contained one plasmid with approximate molecular weight of 55 kb. Among 15 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from other wards, 10 strains contained one plasmid with the same molecular weight. However, 3 strains were found to possess an additional 12.5-kd plasmid and 2 strains contained 77-kb plasmid. This proves that R-plasmid carrying Pseudomonas aeruginosa is prevalent in the burn unit, and R-plasmid is disseminated in the hospital.