Investigation of resistance genes in carbapenem resistant acinetobacter SPP. strains by polymerase chain reaction

Objective: Acinetobacter spp. is an important pathogen for hospital acquired infection known for its resistance for multiple antimicrobial agents. Carbapenem is an important option in the treatment of infection caused by multidrug resistant Acinetobacter spp. In our study, genes causing carbapenem resistance of Acinetobacter spp. strains were investigated by a PCR method. Method: The isolates with culture results evaluated in Microbiology Department of Private Antalya Medical Park Hospital Complex Central Laboratory were included in 48 Vitek 2 (Biomerioux) automated system identified as carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumanni.E-test was also performed for imipenem and meropenem resistance and MIC values were determined. Samples were stored at -20°C. DNA extraction was performed by boiling. Carbapenem resistance genes were investigated by in-house PCR method. Results: Sixteen patients were female (33.3%) and 32 were male (66.7%). The mean age is 51.83 years. Six tracheal aspirate (33.33%), fourteen blood (29.17%), one pleura (2.08%), six catheter (10.42%), three wound (6.25%), two drain (4.17%), two sputum (4.17%), three urine (6.25%), one CSF culture (2.08%) were included in the study. All 48 patients had the OXA-23 and OXA-51 genes. Thirty-two strains had ISAbA1 gene, 8 strains had VIM resistance gene (16.6%), two strains had OXA-58 gene (4.16%), two strains had GIM gene (4.16%), two strains had SIM gene (4.16%). OXA-24, NDM-1, and SPM-1 genes were not found im any strain. Conclusion: Acinetobacter baumanni resistance is gradually increasing. Continuous application of isolation measures required to determine the molecular epidemiology of resistance is effective in preventing infections caused by this bacterium. As each hospital's resistance profile varies, it would be beneficial to conduct similar studies throughout the country.