Comparison of Carbapenem Resistance among Clinical and Soil Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii in Baghdad

Abstract

In Iraq and globally, the increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a serious public health concern. This article examines clinical and soil isolates of CRAB from Baghdad. Seventy-three clinically confirmed CRAB isolates were obtained from various sources, along with 17 soil isolates from Baghdad. The isolates were identified and their antibiotic resistance determined using the VITEK II system. Molecular identification of the isolates carried out using 16S rRNA and blaOXA-51 genes. According to PCR results, all clinical and soil isolates carry the blaOXA-51 carbapenem resistance gene as a housekeeping gene. Carbapenem susceptibility testing of the clinical isolates showed that 52 isolates (71.23%) were imipenem-resistant, and 54 isolates (73.97%) were meropenem-resistant. In contrast, nine soil isolates (52.94%) were resistant to imipenem, and ten isolates (58.82%) were resistant to meropenem. Over all, a significant proportion of clinical and environmental Acinetobacter baumannii isolates are resistant to carbapenems. This suggests the need to update guidelines regarding the use of these antibiotics in healthcare facilities to prevent the development of resistance. The rate of antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates as well as, their sources of infection requires further investigation.