Prevalence of carbapenem resistance genes inAcinetobacter baumanniiisolated from clinical specimens obtained from an academic hospital in South Africa

Abstract

Original Research: Prevalence of carbapenem resistance genes in Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from clinical specimens Acinetobacter baumannii is an important cause of hospital-acquired infections. The occurrence of carbapenem resistance that is caused by the carbapenem-hydrolysing class D β-lactamases and the metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) limits the range of therapeutic alternatives in treating A. baumannii infections. In this study, two multiplex polymerase chain reactions were performed to screen for both carbapenem-hydrolysing class D β-lactamases and MBL genes in 97 clinical isolates of A. baumannii. Oxacillinase (OXA)-51 had a prevalence of 83% (81/97), and OXA-23 had a prevalence of 59% (57/97). One isolate was positive for an MBL [Verona integron-encoded metallo β-lactamases (VIM)]. Therefore, continuous surveillance and monitoring of A. baumannii is crucial because of the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes.Peer reviewed.

Genetic determinants of multi-drug resistance inAcinetobacter baumanniiat an academic hospital in Pretoria, South Africa

“…The study reported resistance to imipenem at 86%; meropenem at 86%; cefepime at 90% and ceftazidime at 89%. Our study results revealed higher resistance prevalence compared to a similar study by Kock et al, [5]. In their study also conducted in Pretoria (2008), they reported resistance to imipenem at 59 %; meropenem at 63 %; cefepime at 62 % and ceftazidime at 45 %.…”

“…In their study also conducted in Pretoria (2008), they reported resistance to imipenem at 59 %; meropenem at 63 %; cefepime at 62 % and ceftazidime at 45 %. The prevalence of drug resistance to antimicrobials other than the polymixin class in A. baumannii isolates has increased to 100% over the years [5; 17]. To date, Colistin has remained susceptible in all the A. baumannii isolates collected in this region.…”

“…Multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) has been identified as one of the leading clinically relevant multi-drug resistant organism that threatens human health [2]. In South Africa, A. baumannii is the leading cause of nosocomial infections [3] and its prevalence of isolation in various clinical samples has been increasing over time [4; 5; 6]. MDRAB’s clinical importance has been driven by its ability to obtain and transmit antimicrobial resistance genes [5] and to cause outbreaks in health care settings [7].…”

“…In South Africa, A. baumannii is the leading cause of nosocomial infections [3] and its prevalence of isolation in various clinical samples has been increasing over time [4; 5; 6]. MDRAB’s clinical importance has been driven by its ability to obtain and transmit antimicrobial resistance genes [5] and to cause outbreaks in health care settings [7]. It is associated with high morbidity, high mortality, prolonged hospitalization and increased cost of hospitalisation [7; 3; 8].…”

The Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Environment of Carbapenemases Detected in Africa

“…95 blaOXA-51, blaOXA-23, and blaOXA-58 are so far the main CHDLs found in A. baumannii isolates with resistance to all b-lactams in South Africa. 14,32,42 The first description of blaOXA-181 in South Africa was in K. pneumonia, 18 and the most reported blaOXA-48-like genes have been found in K. pneumonia (Supplementary Table S1), and in a few cases, E. coli and E. cloacae, where they mediated resistance to all antibiotics except amikacin, tigecycline, and colistin. 18,19,21 blaVIM genes have been identified in several P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, and E. cloacae isolates, whiles blaIMP is commonly identified in E. cloacae.…”