Molecular Characterisation of Carbapenemase-Producing Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from Hospitalised Patients in Iraq

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has been considered one of the major threats to patients worldwide. To evaluate carbapenemase in several clinical isolates using phenotypic and genotypic approaches. A total 49 A. were tested against imipenem meropenem discs on Muller Hinton agar, then screened phenotypically through modified Hodge test (MHT), combined disc (CDT) carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM). The have subjected polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection identify some carbapenemase-encoding genes insertion sequence. resistance profile showed 96% 94% meropenem, respectively. MHT mCIM able produce 98% isolates, respectively, while CDT was metallo-B-lactamase (MBL) only 59.2% isolates. PCR amplification blaOXA-51 observed all We found blaOXA-23 Insertion sequence ISAba1 present positive strains (98%). blaVIM gene encoding MBL 71% but none for blaKPC blaNDM. high rate became a serious threat Concerning tests, most sensitive compared CDT. This study established that prevalent among class D carbapenemase, B carbapenemase. suggests there might be silent carbapenem-sensitive strains.