Antimicrobial-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from Brazilian environmental sources: a 13-year...

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health problem. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen, and carbapenem-resistant strains are a global concern due to the shortage of therapeutic agents for effective treatment. This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial resistance patterns of environmental P. aeruginosa isolates obtained between 2010 and 2023 in Brazil according to year, sample, and source. Two hundred and nineteen isolates were obtained from waters, soils, sediments, and beach sands, which were molecularly and biochemically identified as P. aeruginosa. Disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility. Isolates resistant to carbapenems or colistin were investigated for the presence of genes encoding carbapenemases and MCR-type, respectively, by conventional PCR. P. aeruginosa isolates derived from water (52%) and soils (43%) were the most prevalent. The patterns of antimicrobial susceptibility showed resistance mainly for aztreonam (32%) and colistin (24%). Furthermore, an expressive increase of aztreonam and carbapenem resistance was observed in 2014 and 2023, respectively. No carbapenemases and MCR-type were found, suggesting unusual acquired or mutational mechanisms. The results warn about the spread of antimicrobial-resistant P. aeruginosa in different environments and how anthropogenic actions can shape the presence of this bacteria in specific environmental niches over the years.