[Molecular epidemiology of drug resistance genes and carbapenem resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in rural well water]

Objective: To analyze molecular epidemiological characteristics of drug resistance genes and carbapenem resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in rural well water. Methods: According to Citation of Natural Mineral Water Inspection (GB 8538-2016), a total of 112 well water samples were tested in Juye county of Shandong province, and PFGE and drug susceptibility test were conducted for the identified PA strains. After PCR identification of carbapenem resistance genes, S1-PFGE and Southern blotting were used to determine the location of drug resistance genes, and combined experiments were used to determine gene transferability. Results: The detection rate of PA in rural well water samples in Juye county of Shandong province was 54.46% (61/112). The 61 strains could be divided into 56 PFGE types. There were 2 strains with 100.00% consistent band types, and there was no obvious predominant band type. The results of drug susceptibility experiments showed that 93.44% (57/61) were multi-drug resistant strains, and there were 2 strains carrying bla_VIM-2, both of which were located on the plasmid, and both of them were transferred horizontally with the plasmid. Conclusion: PA carrying carbapenem resistance genes was detected in well water of rural communities in Juye country, and there is the possibility of horizontal transmission of such resistance genes.