Clonal Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant A. baumannii Isolated from Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz, Iran

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen. Clonal dissemination of these resistant organisms has become a serious concern for clinicians and infection control specialists. This study was conducted to assess the clonal relationship of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolated from Imam Reza hospital in Tabriz. In total, one hundred and thirty four clinical isolates were collected during two years. All isolates were identified using standard laboratory methods and then confirmed by detection of blaOXA-51-like genes which is intrinsic for A. baumannii. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the standard disc diffusion (DAD) method. REP-PCR was carried out for evaluation of the epidemiological relationship between multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolates. All isolates were positive for blaOXA-51-like gene that confirmed their identity as A. baumannii. Among 109 (81%) multidrug-resistant isolates, 91 isolates (83/5%) belonged to genotype A, 12 isolates (11%) belonged to genotype B and 6 isolates (5%) were belonged to genotype C. The results of this study indicated clonal dissemination of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolates in the study hospital setting. Considering high potential of these resistant isolates in the hospital environment, the rapid identification and use of appropriate infection control measures are necessary to prevent further spread of infection by these organisms.