Rapid Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Causing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Using Multiple Cross Displacement Amplification Technique in Intensive Care Units in Tanta University Hospitals

Marey, Shaimaa S.E.; Ads, Abd Alreheem G.; Hassan, Azza M.; Elbaradey, Ghada F.; Eissa, Radwa A.

doi:10.21608/ejmm.2023.322729

Rapid Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Causing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Using Multiple Cross Displacement Amplification Technique in Intensive Care Units in Tanta University Hospitals

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Authors

¹ Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt

² Anesthesia, Surgical Intensive Care and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt

10.21608/ejmm.2023.322729

Abstract

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) stands as one of the critical distressing hospital infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) represents a potentially fatal VAP causative agent that is contracted predominantly from intensive care units (ICUs). Prompt identification of this pathogen in the context of clinical specimens of VAP patients may open the gate for therapeutic optimization plans in that way stewarding antibiotic usage thus enhancing clinical outcomes as pathogen identification delay elicits forced empiric usage of less valuable or potentially toxic antimicrobials. Objectives: This study aimed to reveal the P. aeruginosa infection prevalence among VAP patients admitted to Tanta University Hospitals' ICUs via both multiple cross displacement amplification (MCDA) assay and phenotypic approach and to assess the sensitivity along with specificity of MCDA assay as a speedy alternative to the routine culture in favor of detection of P. aeruginosa. Methodology: Sixty respiratory specimens comprised endotracheal aspirate (ETA) in addition to broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were retrieved from clinically diagnosed VAP patients. Specimens were investigated for the microbial content. Bacterial isolation and identification by phenotypic methods and detection of P. aeruginosa by MCDA assay were done. Results: Out of 60 samples, 50 samples showed either mono or polymicrobial growth. P. aeruginosa was the 2^nd most frequently isolated microorganism after Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae). The MCDA assay exhibited 100% specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy in detecting P. aeruginosa. Conclusions: Instead of bacterial culture, the MCDA assay serves as straightforward, easy, quick, and practical technique aiming to "on-site" or point-of-care testing for the presence of P. aeruginosa.

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