Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative bacterium characterized by its short, round, rod-shaped morphology. It is an opportunistic pathogen that poses a significant threat, particularly to immunocompromised
patients, often those with hospital stays lasting less than 90 days. Between June 2022 and July 2023, 214 urine
samples were collected from individuals suspected of having urinary tract infections (UTIs). These samples
were subjected to antibiotic resistance testing, focusing on detecting specific genes related to carbapenem
resistance, namely blaNDM, blaKPC, and blaVIM.The study's results revealed a notable trend in antibiotic
resistance among the bacterial isolates. Ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone, commonly used antibiotics
for UTIs, showed a high resistance rate among the tested isolates. This resistance highlights the challenges
healthcare professionals face when treating UTIs caused by Acinetobacter baumannii. On the other hand, the
isolates displayed a comparatively lower resistance rate to imipenem and meropenem, two necessary carbapenem antibiotics. This lower resistance to carbapenems is encouraging as these drugs are often considered
the last line of defense against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The presence of carbapenem resistance
genes, such as blaNDM, blaKPC, and blaVIM, in the Acinetobacter baumannii isolates is of particular concern. These genes confer resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, crucial for treating severe infections caused by
multidrug-resistant bacteria. In conclusion, the study aims to study the growth of antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii, especially in urinary tract infections in immunocompromised patients with more extended hospital stays. It also highlights the need for Surveys and periodic examinations to detect the spread of
bacteria and their resistance.
Keywords: Carbapenems, UTI, genes, blaNDM, blaKPC, and blaVIM.