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Serotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in clinical specimens in relation to antibiotic susceptibility
Abstract:
Ninety-eight hospital strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from six different hospitals in Athens were serotyped by a slide agglutination test with unabsorbed commercial antisera. Serotypes O6, O11, O12, and "pool E" strains (strains that agglutinated only in pool E, which contained antisera against O2, O5, O15, and O16 antigens, but did not agglutinate in the individual antisera) predominated, accounting for more than 62% of all isolates tested. In respect to serotypes, (i) there was no apparent correlation with hospital of origin, (ii) most strains of serotypes O6 and O11 were sensitive to gentamicin and carbenicillin (iii) most strains of pool E were from urine and were resistant to these drugs, (iv) all 9 strains of serotype O12 tested were resistant to carbenicillin and all 5 strains tested hydrolyzed this drug, and (v) 24 of 25 strains of pool E were resistant to carbenicillin but only 2 of 17 strains hydrolyzed it.
Insights
Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes O6, O11, O12, and Pool E predominated in Athens hospitals. Most O6 and O11 strains were sensitive to gentamicin and carbenicillin, unlike Pool E strains.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Clinical Infectious Diseases
- Bacterial Serotyping
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant hospital-acquired pathogen.
- Understanding the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To serotype hospital strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Athens.
- To investigate the correlation between serotypes and antimicrobial resistance profiles.
Main Methods:
- Serotyping of 98 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates using slide agglutination with commercial antisera.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against gentamicin and carbenicillin.
Main Results:
- Serotypes O6, O11, O12, and Pool E predominated, comprising over 62% of isolates.
- No clear correlation was found between serotype and hospital of origin.
- Most O6 and O11 strains were susceptible to gentamicin and carbenicillin.
- Pool E strains, often from urine, showed high resistance to these antibiotics, with O12 strains also exhibiting resistance and carbenicillin hydrolysis.
Conclusions:
- Specific Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes are prevalent in Athenian hospitals.
- Antimicrobial resistance patterns vary significantly among serotypes, with Pool E and O12 strains demonstrating notable resistance.
- These findings highlight the importance of serotype-specific surveillance for effective management of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.