Treating infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is challenging. In addition to its intrinsic ability to develop resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, it also produces extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). Continuous update of the antibiograms is required to cope with the rate of the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and to determine the frequency of ESBL production among the P. aeruginosa isolates from patients at two public military hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan. A total of 34 isolates of P. aeruginosa obtained from patients with diabetic septic foot wounds were tested for their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Resistance occurred most commonly to ceftazidime (35%), followed by ciprofloxacin (20.6%) and piperacillin (14.7%). We found that 17.6% of the P. aeruginosa isolates were ESBL producers, but all of these isolates were sensitive to meropenem. The chi-squared test showed a significant association between the ESBL production and antimicrobial resistance to amikacin, ceftazidime, and piperacillin. Our findings strengthen previous reports in which aminoglycosides (amikacin) and carbapenems (meropenem) were found to be highly effective against P. aeruginosa. Our findings highlight the need for effective surveillance and antibiogram-guided antibiotic prescription.

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Objectives: Treating infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is challenging. In addition to its intrinsic ability to develop resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, it also produces Extended Spectrum β lactamases (ESBL). This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and to determine the ESBL status among the P. aeruginosa isolates from patients at two public military hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan.Results: A total of 34 isolates of P. aeruginosa obtained from patients with diabetic septic foot wounds were tested for their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Resistance occurred most commonly to Ceftazidime (35%), followed by Ciprofloxacin (20.6%) and Piperacillin (14.7%). We found that 17.6% of the P. aeruginosa isolates were ESBL producers and all of these isolates were sensitive to Meropenem. The chi-squared test showed a significant association between the ESBL status and antimicrobial resistance to Amikacin, Ceftazidime, and Piperacillin. The independent T-test showed a significant association between the ESBL status and resistance to Cefepime. The presence of drug-resistant P. aeruginosa poses a serious health problem. This study suggests sparing the Carbapenems for the ESBL producing P. aeruginosa in our setting. Our findings highlight the need for effective surveillance and antibiogram-guided antibiotic prescription.