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Heavy metal resistance in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
R Vasishta1, S Chhibber, M Saxena
1Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
Abstract:
One hundred clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were checked for their sensitivity towards silver nitrate. Majority of the isolates were resistant at 20 mg/L and the resistance decreased with increasing concentration of silver nitrate, only 5% of the organisms showed resistance above 70 mg/L. These silver-resistant isolates were further checked for their resistance towards mercury and cadmium at 20 mg/L of concentration and the level of resistance was found to be 33 and 40%, respectively. A correlation between silver ion resistance and concurrent mercury and cadmium ion resistance was observed, suggesting a possible linkage between resistance towards various metal ions.
Insights
Pseudomonas aeruginosa shows resistance to silver nitrate, with higher concentrations reducing this effect. Resistance to silver correlates with mercury and cadmium resistance, suggesting linked metal ion resistance mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen.
- Metal ion resistance is a growing concern in clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates to silver nitrate.
- To explore potential correlations between silver ion resistance and resistance to other heavy metals like mercury and cadmium.
Main Methods:
- Testing 100 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for silver nitrate sensitivity.
- Evaluating silver-resistant isolates for resistance to mercury and cadmium at a concentration of 20 mg/L.
Main Results:
- Most isolates were resistant to silver nitrate at 20 mg/L, but resistance decreased with higher concentrations.
- 5% of isolates showed resistance above 70 mg/L silver nitrate.
- 33% and 40% of silver-resistant isolates were also resistant to mercury and cadmium, respectively.
Conclusions:
- A significant correlation exists between silver ion resistance and concurrent resistance to mercury and cadmium in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- This suggests a potential shared or linked resistance mechanism for various metal ions in this bacterium.