Molecular characteristics and antibiotic resistance of Acinetobacter baumanniibeta-lactamase-producing isolates, a predominance of intrinsic blaOXA-51, and detection of TEM and CTX-M genes.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the molecular characteristics and antibiotic resistance of 13 (10 inpatient and three outpatient) Acinetobacter baumannii beta-lactamase-producing isolates collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina between December 2009 and May 2010.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The modified Hodge and combined disk test with EDTA/phenylboronic acid was used to screen for carbapenemase production. Production of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) was determined by double-disk synergy test. PCR was used to detect blaESBL/blacarb genes.

RESULTS: Ten (22.2%) inpatient and three (13.6%) outpatient isolates produced beta-lactamases, ESBLs, or oxacillinases. More than 50% of the isolates showed multidrug resistance. Resistance rates to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin of the inpatients and outpatients were 80.0%, 60.0%, 75.0%, and 25.0%, respectively. MICs of carbapenems for resistant isolates ranged from 32 to >256 μg/mL. All imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains contained blaOXA-51 . Three of the 10 inpatient isolates and one outpatient isolate containing blaOXA-51 additionally produced other beta-lactamases (TEM/CTX-M/OXA-1). None of the inpatient or outpatient isolates were positive for other carbapenemases, especially acquired oxacillinases (blaOXA-23 /blaOXA-24 /blaOXA-58 /blaOXA-143 ).

CONCLUSION: Production of blaOXA-51 presents an emerging threat in imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. from Bosnia and Herzegovina.