[Test of using plasmid DNA profile analysis for identification of Acinetobacter species]

The analysis regarded 32 strains of Acinetobacter genus isolated from a variety of samples from human and animal sources (hospital environment, nonhospital source, water, burns). The genus Acinetobacter is heterogeneous and has a complex taxonomy. For this reason, plasmid profile analysis has been used as a method of identification to study the genetic diversity of natural populations. Strains having an identical plasmid profile were pooled in the same plasmid group. According to these criteria, 32 isolates were grouped in 11 classes. Within the 11 plasmid groups, 2 were found in A. baumannii, 3 in A. lwoffii, 2 in A. johnsonii, 3 in A. haemolyticus and 1 in A. junii. Most frequently isolated species of Acinetobacter from burns was A. baumannii (11 out of the 13 isolates). Plasmid profile analysis of those strains revealed a presence of only one plasmid group. Plasmid profile analysis of Acinetobacter strains can be an useful technique for characterizing isolates in epidemiologic studies as a complementary method. It can be used directly as a very rapid and convenient technique to type Acinetobacter strains.