Beta-lactams are used globally as the appropriate choice to cure bacterial infections. These drugs inhibit cell wall construction and possess a beta-lactam central circle [1]. In the past decades, several extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) have been discovered in gram negative bacteria and have been classified into 4 groups including; penicillinases, metallo beta-lactamases, oxacillinases and cephalosporinases. Class C has an enzyme named AmpC. All strains of Pseudmonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) carry an attenuated transcript of the ampC gene on the chromosome which could be induced by exposure to first generation cephalosporines and produce AmpC enzymes. Also, P. aeruginosa produces a wide range of beta-lactamases which are transferred on plasmids and other mobile genetic elements [2].

IMP-1 belongs to Class B of the beta-lactamases with extended spectrum metallo beta-lactamases, which hydrolyze all beta-lactams except for aztreonam, and are resistant to clavolanic acid and sulbactam [2]. Since these enzymes hydrolyse imipenem and meropenem, they are known as carbapenemase. IMP was firstly reported in P. aeruginosa as a gene carried on plasmid, and then subsequently discovered that it could be transferred on integrons. Therefore, this may explain why IMP spreads in some genus of entrobacteraceae [3]. The other group of beta-lactamases are oxacillinases. They are susceptible to cluvlanic acid (except for OXA-48) and hydrolyse ceftazidime and azteronam. Oxacillinases are carried on plasmids except for OXA-18. However, oxacillinases and their variants such as OXA-51, OXA-23 and OXA-58 are more prevalent in entrobacteriaceae, due to genetic circulation and Horizontal Gene Exchange (HGT) mechanisms observed in P. aeruginosa [4].

One of the clinical significances of P. aeruginosa is its ability to secrete several virulence factors. Many virulence factors in P. aeruginosa are horizontally acquired, as reflected by the great diversity within the species. In addition, it is noteworthy that virulence factors are likely to perform a useful function for any organism within their natural environment, and that as P. aeruginosa is not an obligate parasite of humans, many factors harmful to humans expressed by this organism will most probably perform a more innocuous function within the organism’s natural habitat [5]. Quorum Sensing (QS) and biofilm formation are one of the most important virulence factors of this bacterium and several systems have been characterized, such as those from Vibrio fischeri, P. aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. P. aeruginosa utilizes two AHL (Acyl Homserine Lactone) based QS systems; Las, Rhl, a non AHL mechanism and the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal (PQS) system [6].

Among antibiotic resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, enhanced biofilm production and a coordinating regulatory protein to switch on and off antibiotic resistance have been observed [7]. Elastase (syn: pulmonary elastase, LasB) is the most powerful proteolytic enzyme secreted by P. aeruginosa, accounting for 90% of its proteolytic activity. Elastase is coded by lasB, the expression of which is controlled through the las QS pathway, and is produced in greatest quantity when cells are in the late logarithmic phase of growth or at high cell density [5,6]. P. aeruginosa also produces a second elastolytic enzyme, the serine protease LasA (coded by lasA). This enzyme was thought to nick elastin, exposing active sites for proteolysis by LasB. Subsequent studies have however shown that the enzyme is capable of elastolytic activity independent of LasB and Apr [6].

From another point of view, AmpC producing P. aeruginosa could have intrinsic non-induced resistance against some antibiotics. Although uridopenicillins and third generation cephalosporines are unstable against AmpC, they do not induce AmpC synthesis [8]. Therefore, these antibiotics are active unless AmpC is induced, however, spontaneous mutants would be produced by intermediate frequency. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between beta-lactam antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in AmpC producing P. aeruginosa.

Out of 105 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, 79 isolates (75.23%) were collected from women and 26 isolates (24.76%) from men, most of whom were between 20–40 years old. From the 105 clinical isolates, 55 isolates (48.57%) were obtained from burn wounds, 24 isolates (22.85%) from blood cultures, 14 isolates (13.33%) from urine, 9 isolates (15.78%) from catheters, and 3 isolates (2.85%) from discharges.

The relationship between antibiotic resistance patterns and the presence of virulence factors has been widely studied. Other factors may influence the activity of virulence factors in P. aeruginosa, including gender, type of clinical specimen, and even the activity of certain antibiotic resistance enzymes [12,13]. In this study, the highest frequency of virulence strains was isolated from female patients. The role of gender in the exacerbation of infections caused by P. aeruginosa were examined in this study. As previously mentioned in different studies from Iran, Canada and United States, the severity of infection may be affected by gender [14,15]. In accordance with studies in Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Italy, and China, our data demonstrated high resistance to ceftriaxone and cefotaxime, and highest susceptibility to carbapenems. It seems that selection pressure occurs when there is exposure to microorganisms due to increased consumption of cephalosporin in healthcare settings and the community, resulting in enhanced resistance [16–19].

Four isolates in our study were found to harbor both lasA and lasB, with 5 isolates carrying the lasR gene. These isolates included 4 isolates from the same patient. Therefore, previous assertions that these genes are mutually exclusive in clinical isolates were contradicted in this study, as also noted in a number of previous studies [12]. The frequency of pathogenic genes in our study differs from the results showing lasA, lasB and lasR genes being be present in a clinical specimen, but the effect of these genes on the abundance of each other has also been previously shown [11,12,14].

One of the main reasons for the increased activity of P. aeruginosa in women may be the imbalances in the body’s hormonal system. Estrogen intensifies inflammation due to increases in neutrophils and other white blood cells which results in an elevated level of biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa strains and consequently antibiotic resistance [13]. Menstruation in women causes iron deficiency in the body. P. aeruginosa uses 2 siderophores for transferring trivalent iron. In the studies by Oglesby et al [13] and Tomaras et al [15], the effects of presence and absence of iron in the body of the patients were investigated, showing a significant relationship between the presence of iron and antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa. It was also reported that the bacterium was detected in the presence of iron and could increase its pathogenic activity. Although, the prevalence of infections in males was reported to be higher than females in some studies from Canada and Belgium [20,21].

Variables such as antibiotic resistance, temperature variations, gene mutations, changes in the position of genes from chromosomal to plasmid, and the presence of certain elements can affect the appearance of virulence factors [15]. In our study, there was a significant relationship between antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. In a study by Schroeder et al [7], one of the bacterial resistance factors was antibiotic alteration of external structure and the production of certain specific proteins. In this way, the bacteria, when exposed to high concentrations of antibiotics, also changed the activity of their regulatory systems due to their adaptation, which produced biofilms and initiated QS activity. QS activates 2 component systems, and this triggers the occurrence of high levels of resistance in the bacteria [7].

Meanwhile, virulence factors can affect some beta-lactamase enzymes. The study on AmpC type beta-lactamase began in the late 1970s. AmpC enzymes, which are often inducible by beta-lactams, are coded by chromosomal genes and are also found in many strains of P. aeruginosa [22]. Extended resistance to a wide range of antibiotics and even carbapenems may be developed in AmpC producer strains of P. aeruginosa. In the current study, more than half of isolates were AmpC producers with a high prevalence of resistance to cefoxitin and ciprofloxacin. Many studies in Malaysia, USA, Saudi Arabia and Iran, have demonstrated that induced phenotype of cefoxitin and ciprofloxacin in AmpC producing P. aeruginosa was more frequent than for other antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance patterns for P. aeruginosa strains could be influenced by various factors including gender, age and place of residence, so that, in this study, 72.23% of isolates were collected from females. This difference might be due to hormone levels in women affecting mutation of regulators of Class C ambler classification. As age increases, immune systems may become dysfunctional, that may lead to resistance to different antibiotics [11].

In the current study, a meaningful relationship between strains expressing IMP and OXA genes and AmpC producer strains is observed, however, IMP and OXA genes were not frequently detected. In a study from Taiwan in 2005, OXA- type ESBLs were reported in 3.5% of cases, and the most prevalent type was OXA-17 [23]. Furthermore, in a number of studies performed to examine OXA gene prevalence, less than 10% of ESBLs producer strains in P. aeruginosa were shown to be of the OXA type [24–26]. Serine functions in the active site of beta-lactamases leads to changes in AmpC strains. In other words, AmpC mutated regulators could affect other resistance groups. Furthermore, function of these strains causes emergence of multidrug resistant strains. To illustrate, subtypes of OXA gene clusters like OXA-162, have been isolated from AmpC producer strains. As described by Rafiee et al [27] P. aeruginosa AmpC producers show 11.9% ESBLs, with MBLs produced simultaneously.

AmpC activity in gram negative bacteria results in resistance to carbapenems. In this study, antibiotic resistance patterns demonstrated that AmpC could influence genotypic and phenotypic resistance patterns in a manner that may lead to increased IMP gene activity. All IMP genes were detected in AmpC producing P. aeruginosa. Although some studies mention no relationship between genotypic and phenotypic resistance in AmpC producer strains, there was no evidence for this in the current study [28].

The present study showed that there was a significant relationship between the presence of beta-lactamase genes and AmpC enzymes. The genes responsible for the resistance of β-lactamase-resistant enzymes, such as AmpC and ESBLs, are in some cases transported onto the plasmid. This causes the transfer of genes between different gram-negative bacteria and causes the creation of resistant and pathogenic strains. In a study by Logan et al [29], genes located on plasmid were shown to be one of the most important reasons for the development of Enterobacteriaceae via the enzyme AmpC and ESBLs. However, ESBLs and AmpC can confer carbapenem resistance when associated with alteration or loss of porins, a family of proteins on the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria [30].

The results of this study showed that the genes responsible for resistance to various antibiotics were more frequent in isolates with a high pathogenicity. However, the prevalence of these isolates was highest in burn wounds and urine specimens. The presence of strains with QS element genes in burn wounds and urinary tract infections was due to the fact that bacteria increase their biofilm production and can resist external and environmental factors. As mentioned in studies by Heydari et al [31], Turk [32] and Ellappan et al [33] biofilm producer strains of P. aeruginosa indicated a high level resistance to ESBLs, MBLs and carbapenemases. In other words, P. aeruginosa has a high resistance to many antimicrobial and antiseptic agents. In addition, the widespread use of antibiotics in recent years has made the bacterium resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotics from various antibiotic groups.

The results of this study showed that the samples obtained from burn and discharge wounds had the highest genetic distribution. Also, infections caused by catheter and urinary tract infections also had a remarkable distribution for ampC genes. Cornut et al [34] showed that samples that have been exposed to infections caused by high levels of antibiotics, are more resistant to antibiotics and treatment than other bacterial infections. Thus, this relationship indicates that the detection of strains carrying the enzyme AmpC can be prevented. Therefore, it is suggested that in subsequent studies, the measurement of the level of elastase (lasB) and serine protease (lasA) enzymes should be measured.

The association between antibiotic resistance and virulence factors may play a significant role in outbreaks of P. aeruginosa infections. Therefore, the presence of virulence factors in P. aeruginosa may cause some changes in beta-lactam resistance, so that QS and biofilm provide a basis for resistance to beta-lactamase enzymes. In addition, the activity and presence of certain enzymes such as elastase (lasB) and serine protease (lasA) in strains with resistance should be considered.