Metallo-beta-lactamase Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Neonatal Septicemia

Gram-negative bacilli are important agents causing neonatal sepsis. The organisms isolated are often resistant to multiple antimicrobials specially which are metallo-beta-lactamases (MβL) producers. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the objective to examine the incidence of MβL producing strains in multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cases of neonatal sepsis. Between January-December 2006, 1994 cases of neonatal sepsis were investigated. The isolates obtained were identified and tested for susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents. The multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were screened for the presence of MβL by imipenem-EDTA disc method. Five hundred and ninety three (29.73%) isolates were obtained from culture of neonates. Most frequent offender was P. aeruginosa (48.2%). There was an overall predominance of gram-negative organisms. MβL production was seen in 69.5% of imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. MβL producing P. aeruginosa is an emerging threat in neonatal septicemia and a cause of concern for physicians treating such infections.