Genetic characterization of extensive drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: an appalling impediment
Faeze Abbaszadeh1, Alka Hasani1, Mohammad Ahangarzadeh Rezaee1
1Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Introduction:
Acinetobacter baumannii infections are a growing public-health concern. The bacterium's potentiality to acquire resistance to a number of commonly used antibiotics has turned it into a formidable pathogen.
Aims:
Molecular characterization of extensive drug resistant (XDR) typing of A. baumannii clinical isolates by polymerase chain reaction.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty XDR A. baumannii were investigated for the presence of genes encoding carbapenemase resistance, biofilm capacity, autoinducer synthase, virulence and surface motility by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Later, the isolates were typed by plasmid-based replicon (Rep) (PBRT) and trilocus sequence typing.
Results:
All 30 XDR A. baumannii strains displayed genes related to surface motility, autoinducer synthase, virulence determinant, biofilm related genes except PER, and bap, the frequency of which was 83.3% and 76.6%, respectively. Analysis of rep genes showed highest frequency of rep6 and rep2 genes, with frequency of 75% and 65%, respectively. All XDR A. baumannii strains belonged to SG I (European clone II) group.
Conclusions:
Our results show the extraordinary plasticity of XDR A. baumannii and suggest that the strains have gained endemicity in our hospital, which could be a great concern in the near future.
Insights
Extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains show high plasticity and endemicity in hospitals. Molecular characterization revealed common virulence and motility genes, with specific plasmid replicons prevalent in these formidable pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant public health threat due to its increasing antibiotic resistance.
- This pathogen's ability to acquire resistance makes it a formidable infectious agent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform molecular characterization and typing of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates.
- To identify specific genetic markers associated with resistance and virulence in XDR A. baumannii.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect genes for carbapenemase resistance, biofilm formation, autoinducer synthase, virulence, and surface motility.
- Plasmid-based replicon typing (PBRT) and trilocus sequence typing were employed for isolate characterization.
Main Results:
- All 30 XDR A. baumannii strains possessed genes for surface motility, autoinducer synthase, virulence, and biofilm formation (except PER).
- The bap gene was present in 83.3% of strains, and rep6 and rep2 genes were most frequent (75% and 65%).
- All isolates belonged to Sequence Group I, consistent with the European clone II.
Conclusions:
- XDR A. baumannii exhibits significant genetic plasticity, contributing to its adaptability.
- The findings suggest that these XDR strains have become endemic in the hospital setting, posing a future public health concern.
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