Affiliation:
1. Federal University of Pernambuco—UFPE, Microbiology Laboratory. Department of Tropical Medicine. Center for Medical Sciences , Recife - PE, 50670-901 , Brazil
2. Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation—FIOCRUZ-PE, Department of Virology and Experimental Therapy , Recife - PE, 50740-465 , Brazil
Abstract
Abstract
Aims
To investigate the genetic profile and characterize antimicrobial resistance, including the main β-lactam antibiotic resistance genes, in Acinetobacterbaumannii isolates from a tertiary hospital in Recife-PE, Brazil, in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period.
Methods and Results
Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were collected between 2023 and 2024 from diverse clinical samples. Antimicrobial resistance testing followed standardized protocols, with β-lactamase-encoding genes detected via PCR and sequencing. Investigation into ISAba1 upstream of blaOXA-carbapenemase and blaADC genes was also conducted. Genetic diversity was assessed through ERIC-PCR. Among the 78 A. baumannii, widespread resistance to multiple antimicrobials was evident. Various acquired β-lactamase-encoding genes (blaOXA-23,-24,-58,-143, blaVIM, and blaNDM) were detected. Furthermore, this is the first report of blaVIM-2 in A. baumannii isolates harboring either the blaOXA-23-like or the blaOXA-143 gene in Brazil. Molecular typing revealed a high genetic heterogeneity among the isolates, and multi-clonal dissemination.
Conclusion
The accumulation of genetic resistance determinants underscores the necessity for stringent infection control measures and robust antimicrobial stewardship programs to curb multidrug-resistant strains.
Funder
PROPESQ/UFPE through the Edital 422
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)