Rapid detection of gene encoding oxa carbapenemases in Acinetobacter using multiplex PCR

Abstract

Background and Objective: Acinetobacter, has been identified as an important pathogen in nosocomial outbreaks with high levels of emerging drug resistance. So the present study was conducted in Acinetobacter spp to find out the utility of the multiplex PCR assay, which may be used as a useful technique in the early detection & prevention of blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-58 gene harbouring in clinical isolates taken from the patients coming to a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: Strains of Acinetobacter collected from different clinical samples were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Strains which were found showing resistance to imipenem by both disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), were analysed for the presence blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-58 (CLASS D) by using multiplex PCR. Results: Among 175 strains of Acinetobacter collected from the clinical samples, 45 strains showed imipenem resistance, both by disk diffusion and MIC out of which 19(42.2%) were positive for blaOXA-58 gene and all strains 45(100%) were positive for blaOXA-23 gene. Conclusion: The present study shows that there is dissemination of genes produced carbapenem resistant in the Acinetobacter isolates. This scientific evidence can be used to limit the spread of such strains in hospital settings as well as in the community, and also may help in initiating specific hospital infection control measures. Keywords –OXA carbapenemases, Imipenem, Acinetobacter, PCR