INTRODUCTION: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as a life-threatening infectious agent worldwide. Carbapenemase genes are reported to be some of the most common mechanisms for carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa. No reports are available from the Kingdom of Bahrain about carbapenem resistance and the underlying cause. In this study, we determined to study the presence of the metallo-beta-lactamase (M β L) genes of VIM family and NDM-1 in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. METHODOLOGY: Fifty carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were obtained from three main hospitals of Bahrain. They were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disc diffusion test. Subsequently, MβL was detected by imipenem-ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) combined disc test and conventional polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Among 50 P. aeruginosa strains, 40 (80%) were imipenem resistant. Among the 40 imipenem-resistant strains, 35 (87.5%) strains were positive for the imipenem-EDTA combined disc test, and 21 (52%) were carrying MβL genes. Nineteen (47.5%) strains were positive for the VIM gene; one (2.5%) strain was carrying the NDM-1 gene, while one strain was carrying both the VIM and NDM-1 genes. None of the imipenem sensitive strains carried the VIM or NDM-1 gene. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to report the presence of the VIM family gene and NDM-1 genes in imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The study also confirms the multiple drug resistance by the MβL strains, attention should therefore from now on, be focused on prevention of further spread of such isolates by firm infection control measures, and to reduce its threat to public health.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is regarded as a significant cause of death in hospitals. The WHO recently added carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) to its global pathogen priority list. There is a dearth of information on CRAB from our region. Methods: Fifty CRAB isolates were collected from four main hospitals in Bahrain for this study. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests were carried out using the BD PhoenixTM and VITEK-2 compact, respectively. Using conventional PCR, these isolates were further screened for carbapenem resistance markers (blaOXA-51, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-40, blaIMP, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaKPC). Results: All of the isolates were resistant to imipenem (100%), meropenem (98%), and cephalosporins (96–98%), followed by other commonly used antibiotics. All these isolates were least resistant to gentamicin (64%). The detection of resistance determinants showed that the majority harbored blaOXA-51 (100%) and blaIMP (94%), followed by blaOXA-23 (82%), blaOXA-24 (46%), blaOXA-40 (14%), blaNDM (6%), blaVIM (2%), and blaKPC (2%). Conclusion: The study isolates showed a high level of antibiotic resistance. Class D carbapenemases were more prevalent in our CRAB isolate collection. The resistance genes were found in various combinations. This study emphasizes the importance of strengthening surveillance and stringent infection control measures in clinical settings to prevent the emergence and further spread of such isolates.