Background: Enzymatic modification of aminoglycosides is the primary mechanism of resistance by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
.
Obejectives: We investigated the occurrence and mechanism of aminoglycosides resistance in
P. aeruginosa isolates from
hospitals in SouthWest Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 54 consecutive, non-duplicate clinical isolates of
P. aeruginosa were studied for the presence of aminoglycosides
-modifying enzymes (AMEs) by PCR amplification and sequencing of genes encoding AMEs.
Results and Conclusion: Two types of AME genes [aac (6′) – I and ant (2′′) – I] were found in 12 isolates out of 54. Seven
strains harboured one or more types of enzymes of which aac (6′) – I was the most frequently found gene (10/54 isolates,
18.5%). None of the isolates investigated in this study were positive for aph, aac (3) and aac (6′′) – II genes. Prevalence of
P.
aeruginosa producing AME genes in this study may suggest aminoglycosides use in Nigeria. This study highlights need for
functional antimicrobial surveillance system in Nigeria.
