Efficacy of Antibiotics Against <i>Pseudomonas </i><i>a</i><i>eruginosa</i> Isolated from Respiratory Devices in Tanzania

Abstract

<i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for severe hospital-acquired infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia. Due to its biofilm-forming ability and antimicrobial resistance, it presents a significant public health challenge. This study assessed the efficacy of selected antibiotics against <i>P. aeruginosa </i>isolates associated with respiratory devices from regional referral hospitals in mainland Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024, in which samples were collected from January to March in Emergency wards, Intensive care units, and Medical wards. Samples collected included water from the Oxygen humidification container, swab samples from reusable masks and the connectors. Laboratory analysis using standard microbiological techniques and PCR were employed for isolation and confirmation of <i>P. aeruginosa</i>. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Out of the collected samples (N=231),<i> P. aeruginosa</i> was detected at an overall prevalence of 14.7% (n=34). The analysis of prevalence by sample type revealed that water for humidification had the highest prevalence of 30.6%, followed by respirators at 8.2% and the least in connectors at 3.5%. <i>P. aeruginosa</i> showed a notable resistance towards gentamycin, followed by meropenem, and the least resistance was shown in ceftazidime. On the other hand, <i>P. aeruginosa</i> were fully susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam combination. A very small proportion of isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR). Despite the noted resistance majority of the antibiotics used to treat respiratory tract infection (RTIs) in this study showed significant efficacy.