detection of vim- and imp-type metallo-beta-lactamase genes in acinetobacter baumannii isolates from patients in two hospitals in tehran

background: acinetobacter baumannii, is an opportunistic pathogen and is responsible for numerous nosocomial infections. in recent years, this microorganism has been resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. one of the most important mechanisms of resistance in this microorganism is production of metallo-beta-lactamases (mbls). objectives: the aim of this study was to detect vim- and imp-type metallo-beta-lactamase genes in acinetobacter baumanniiisolates from patients in two hospitals in tehran.materials and methods: 104 isolates were tested using the pcr method for the identification of vim- and imp-type genes.results: vim1, vim2, imp1and imp2 genes were detected in 6.7%, 41.7%, 50% and 1.7% of the isolates from tehran heart center, and in 29.5%, 38.6%, 4.5% and 4.5% of the isolates from shahid mutahhari hospital respectively.discussion: our analysis revealed that the majority of the isolates had at least one of these genes, indicating that mbls production is an important resistance mechanism in acinetobacter baumannii.