Abstract

Carbapenems are therapeutic choice against infections caused by Gram-negative bacilli including strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) is a novel metallo-β-lactamase (MBL).That confers resistance to all β-lactamases. Sporadic cases of NDM-1 positive strains have been reported from different countries. The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of existence of NDM-1 gene among P. aeruginosa isolates collected from Najaf hospitals. Thirty-six carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from various clinical samples. The susceptibility to different antibiotics was evaluated by disk diffusion method, MICs of imipenem and meropenem were determined. The blaNDM was detected by PCR. All isolate were multidrug resistance. Two isolates were harbored blaNDM genes. The MICs of isolates to imipenem and meropenem were 4-128 μg/mL and 4-256 μg/mL, respectively. The study concluded that production of MBL enzymes presents an emerging threat of carbapenem resistance among P. aeruginosa in Najaf province. This is the first report of NDM β-lactamase producing P. aeruginosa in Iraq.