Association between Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors, carbapenem resistance mechanisms and clinical course of disease

[...]. The aim of the study: The aim of the study is to evaluate the change of carbapenem resistance level of P. aeruginosa strains and the impact of virulence factors and carbapenem resistance mechanisms on clinical course of infection. The objectives of the study: 1. To evaluate the change of antimicrobial resistance level of P. aeruginosa strains isolated from respiratory tract samples, during 2003, 2008, 2011 years. 2. To identify the risk factors for developing infectious process caused by carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. 3. To determine the risk factors for carbapenem resistance mechanisms in P. aeruginosa strains. 4. To evaluate the correlation of virulence factors: carbapenem resistance, MBL production, biofilm production, serogroup prevalence, resistance to bactericidal serum activity of P. aeruginosa strains, isolated from different clinical samples and clinical course of infectious disease. [...]