Investigation of EpsA, OmpA, and Bap Genes among MDR and XDR Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates in Khorramabad, Iran

Abstract

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic hospital pathogen with high antibiotic resistance, and the ability to produce biofilm. This study aimed to investigate epsA, ompA, and bap genes involved in biofilm formation in MDR and XDR clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii in Khorramabad, Iran. Methods: In this study, 79 A.baumannii isolates were collected from various samples of the patients admitted to tertiary hospitals in Khorramabad city, Iran, between January and August 2019. After performing the semi-quantitative evaluation of biofilm production by microtiter plate assay, screening of isolates carrying epsA, ompA, and bap genes was done by PCR method. Finally, statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 22. Results: Among 79 A.baumannii isolates, 52% XDR, 40% MDR, and 16% non-XDRMDR isolates were found to be biofilm producers. All XDR and 94% MDR isolates had ompA and epsA genes, and bap genes were detected among > 80% of these isolates. Moreover, the presence of biofilm-related genes and biofilm production among non-XDRMDR isolates were less than among resistant isolates (p≤ 0.01). Conclusion: Based on the results, biofilm production and simultaneous presence of epsA, ompA, and bap genes among MDR, and XDR A. baumannii isolates have been found to be significantly more than non-XDR-MDR isolates.

Characteristics of the Genetic Spread of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Tertiary Greek Hospital

“…The emergence and dissemination of XDR/PDR A. baumannii strains within hospital settings has contributed to elevated mortality rates and presents significant challenges for eradication, emphasizing the urgent need for new and innovative antibiotic treatments [69,70]. In a recent study, there was a significantly higher occurrence of biofilm production and the concurrent presence of ompA and other relevant genes among MDR and XDR A. baumannii isolates compared to non-XDR-MDR isolates [71]. There is an increasing number of reports regarding Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) exhibiting resistance to carbapenems, aminoglycosides, polymyxins, and tigecycline simultaneously, termed CAPT-resistant strains, including Acinetobacter baumannii.…”