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Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Rapid and Specific Detection of Acinetobacter baumannii Infections Using a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification/Cas12a-based System
Published on: April 25, 2025
Clonal dispersion of Acinetobacter baumannii in an intensive care unit designed to patients COVID-19
Emilio Mariano Durán-Manuel1, Clemente Cruz-Cruz1, Gabriela Ibáñez-Cervantes1
1Hospital Juárez de México, Ciudad de México, México.
Introduction:
SARS-CoV2 pandemic marks the need to pay attention to bacterial pathogens that can complicate the hospital stay of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). ESKAPE bacteria which includes Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae are considered the most important, because of their close relationship with the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The aim of this work was to identify and characterize ESKAPE bacteria and to detect their possible clonal spread in medical devices, patients, and medical personnel of the ICU for COVID-19 patients of the Hospital Juarez de Mexico.
Methodology:
Genetic identification of ESKAPE bacteria was performed by analyzing the 16S rRNA gene. Resistance assays were performed according to the CLSI guidelines. Assembly of AdeABCRS operon and inhibition assays of pumps efflux in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were performed. Associated gene involved in biofilm formation (icaA) was performed in isolates belonging to the Staphylococcus genus. Finally, typing by ERIC-PCR and characterization of mobile genetic element SCCmec were done.
Results:
Heterogeneous distribution of ESKAPE and non-ESKAPE bacteria was detected in various medical devices, patients, and medical personnel. Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant ESKAPE members. The analysis of intergenic regions revealed an important clonal distribution of A. baumannii (AdeABCRS+). Genotyping of SCCmec mobile genetic elements and the icaA gene showed that there is no clonal distribution of S. aureus.
Conclusions:
Clonal spread of A. baumannii (AdeABCRS+) highlights the importance of adopting good practices for equipment disinfection, surfaces and management of COVID-19 patients.
Insights
Clonal spread of Acinetobacter baumannii, a key pathogen in intensive care units, was identified in a COVID-19 ward. This underscores the need for enhanced disinfection and patient management protocols to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The SARS-CoV2 pandemic heightened concerns about bacterial coinfections in intensive care units (ICUs).
- ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae) are critical due to their association with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize ESKAPE bacteria in a COVID-19 ICU.
- To investigate the clonal spread of these bacteria among medical devices, patients, and healthcare personnel.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Antimicrobial resistance profiling and efflux pump analysis (AdeABCRS operon) in Acinetobacter baumannii.
- Detection of biofilm-associated gene (icaA) in Staphylococcus isolates.
- Molecular typing using ERIC-PCR and SCCmec characterization.
Main Results:
- ESKAPE and non-ESKAPE bacteria showed heterogeneous distribution across the ICU environment.
- Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus were the most prevalent ESKAPE bacteria.
- Significant clonal distribution of Acinetobacter baumannii (AdeABCRS+) was observed, indicating potential transmission.
Conclusions:
- The clonal spread of Acinetobacter baumannii (AdeABCRS+) emphasizes the critical need for stringent disinfection and sterilization protocols.
- Effective management of COVID-19 patients requires integrated strategies to control the dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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