Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Quantification, Viability Assessment, and Visualization Strategies for Acinetobacter Biofilms
07:41

Quantification, Viability Assessment, and Visualization Strategies for Acinetobacter Biofilms

Published on: August 4, 2023

Epidemiological markers of Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from a spinal cord injury unit

M A Marcos1, S Abdalla, F Pedraza

  • 1Departament de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.

The Journal of Hospital Infection
|September 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated Acinetobacter baumannii in spinal cord unit patients. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that 1991-1992 isolates likely originated from 1990 strains that acquired antibiotic resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant nosocomial pathogen.
  • An increase in A. baumannii isolates was noted in a Spinal Cord Unit over 28 months.
  • Understanding isolate relatedness is crucial for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationships among Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a Spinal Cord Unit.
  • To identify the source and evolution of A. baumannii during an observed increase in cases.

Main Methods:

  • Six typing methods were employed: biotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility, protein analysis (whole cell and cell-envelope), plasmid analysis, and chromosomal DNA analysis.
  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of ApaI-digested chromosomal DNA was utilized for detailed strain typing.
  • Isolate relatedness was assessed using these molecular and phenotypic techniques.

Main Results:

  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) proved to be the most effective method for determining isolate relatedness.
  • The study suggests that the A. baumannii isolates from 1991-1992 likely emerged from strains present in 1990.
  • These precursor strains appear to have acquired resistance to amikacin and tobramycin during the epidemic period.

Conclusions:

  • A. baumannii outbreaks can be effectively tracked using PFGE for chromosomal DNA analysis.
  • The findings indicate a potential clonal spread and acquisition of antibiotic resistance within A. baumannii strains during an epidemic.
  • This highlights the importance of molecular typing in managing hospital-acquired infections.

More Related Videos

Rapid and Specific Detection of Acinetobacter baumannii Infections Using a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification/Cas12a-based System07:59

Rapid and Specific Detection of Acinetobacter baumannii Infections Using a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification/Cas12a-based System

Published on: April 25, 2025

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens10:08

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens

Published on: April 17, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...