Development of multiplex PCR for rapid detection of metallo-β-lactamase genes in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii has been known as a major pathogen causing nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to develop multiplex PCR for rapid and simultaneous detection of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes in clinical isolates of A. baumannii.

In this study, we used three sets of primers to amplify the MBL genes including blaOXA-48, blaOXA-23 and blaNDM. The multiplex PCR assay was optimized for rapid and simultaneous detection of MBL genes in A. baumannii strains recovered from clinical samples.

A. baumannii strains recovered from clinical samples were subjected to the study. The multiplex PCR produced 3 bands of 501 bp for blaOXA-23, 744 bp for blaOXA-48 and 623 bp for blaNDM genes. In addition to, no any cross-reactivity was observed in multiplex PCR.

Based on obtained data, the multiplex PCR had a good specificity without any cross reactivity and it appears that the multiplex PCR is reliable assay for simultaneous detection of MBL genes in A. baumannii strains.