Nosocomial spread of B. cepacia complex (Bcc) isolates amongst non- cystic fibrosis (CF) patients especially immunocompromised patients has been documented, where inadequate laboratory identification and limited treatment options are considered the main obstacles hindering accurate diagnosis and thus proper therapeutic outcome. The present study aimed to detect the isolation percentage of BCC from patients who admitted to ICUs and burn units of Alexandria Main University Hospital during 6 months from April to October 2015. A total of 150 clinical samples were collected from these patients. All samples were cultured and subjected to microbiological procedures for isolation and identification of isolates. Out of 150 clinical samples cultured, 128(85.3%) showed isolates and 22(14.7%) no growth. The majority of isolates causing burn wound infection were P.aeruginosa (31.0%), followed by B.cepacia (30.0%), E.coli (17.0%) and S.aureus (MRSA) (10.0%). BCC was further identified by the BSCA and PCR system (rec A gene). Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that all Bcc isolated were Multi Drug Resistant (MDR), the lowest percentage of BCC resistance was against Imipinem (IPM) and Meropenem (MEM)(50% each).

Abbreviations: Bcc, Burkholderia cepacia complex; CF, cystic fibrosis; ICUs, Intensive care units; MDR, Multi Drug Resistant; NFGNB, nosocomial non-fermentative Gram negative bacilli; BCSA, B. cepacia selective agar.

Keywords: Burkholderia cepacia complex; Identification; Antimicrobial susceptibility.

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Asmaa A. Hendawy

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine,

University of Alexandria, Egypt