Multidrug resistance (MDR), virulence and transferable elements potentiate
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
's role as an opportunistic pathogen
creating a high risk for public health. In this study, we evaluated the possible
association of multidrug resistance, virulence factors and integrons with
intrahospital
P. aeruginosa
strains isolated from patients at
Cumana hospital, Venezuela. Relevant clinical-epidemiological data were
collected to study 176 strains (2009-2016) isolated from different hospital
units. Bacterial resistance was classified as susceptible, low-level resistant
(LDR), multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Most
strains produced pyoverdine, DNase, gelatinase and hemolysin. Around 73% of the
strains showed some type of movement. MDR and XDR strains increased from 2009
(24.2% and 4.8%, respectively) to 2016 (53.1% and 18.8%); while LDR decreased
from 64.5% to 6.3%. The
exo
U and
exo
S genes
were found in a significant number of strains (38.1 and 7.4%, respectively).
Class I integrons were detected in 35.8% of the strains and the frequency was
associated with resistance (42.9, 22.4, 41.4 and 61.9%, for susceptible, LDR,
MDR and XDR, respectively). The MDR/XDR strains were positively associated with
hemolysins and
exo
U, but negatively associated with bacterial
twitching. MDR/XDR phenotypes were also associated with the Intensive Care Unit
(ICU), septicemia, bronchial infection and diabetic foot ulcers, as well as long
hospital stay (≥10 days) and previous antimicrobial treatment. High frequency of
MDR/XDR strains and their association with class I integrons and virulence
factors can increase the infection potential, as well as morbidity and mortality
of patients attending this hospital and could spread infection to the community,
creating a health risk for the region.