IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-7-7-16132 Original Research Paper Identification and phenotypic characterisation of metallo - beta - lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates at a tertiary care centre in Bihar Kumar Pintu Dr. Shailesh Kumar Dr. S.K.Shahi Dr. July 2018 7 7 01 02 ABSTRACT

Metallo–beta–lactamase (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as a threat to hospital infectioncontrol, due to its multi–drug resistance, especially inintensive care units (ICUs).This study was carried out to detect MBL producing P. aeruginosa isolates, tocompare and evaluate different phenotypic methodscurrently in use and to determine antibiograms.A total of 152 strains were recovered from various clinical samples from patients admittedin inpatient wards and ICUs, and screened for imipenemresistance by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Detectionof MBLs was further done by Imipenem/Imipenem– EDTA combined disc diffusion method and E test.Out of152 isolates, 36 isolates (23%) were imipenem resistant. When further tested for MBL production, six were positive by combined disk test, but, only four showed positive results by E– test. Therefore Routine screening of P. aeruginosa using inexpensivephenotypic tests like imipenem and imipenem + EDTAcombined disk test should be an essential component ofinfection control in hospitals.