ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the role of type Ⅵ secretion system (T6SS) in the pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance of Acinetobacter baumanii. Methods:From January 1 to December 31, 2016, a total of 45 Acinetobacter baumanii isolates were collected from patients with bloodstream infection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. The susceptibilities to commonly used antimicrobial agents were determined by VITEK 2 Compact automatic microbiology analyzer. Detection of T6SS characteristic gene hemolysin coregulated protein ( hcp) was achieved by polymerase chain reaction. Biofilm formations, serum resistances and competition tests of T6SS-positive/negative Acinetobacter baumanii were performed in vitro. The clinical data of patients with bloodstream infection were collected and analyzed. Chi-square test, t test and Kruskal-Wallis test were conducted for statistical analysis. Results:The positive rate of T6SS in 45 Acinetobacter baumanii isolates was 53.3% (24/45). The resistance rates of T6SS-positive Acinetobacter baumanii to ceftazidime, ciprofloxdcin, gentamicin, imipenem, levofloxacin, piperacillin/tazobactam, tobramycin and cefepime (95.8%, 95.8%, 66.7%, 95.8%, 79.2%, 95.8%, 79.2%, 91.7%)were all higher than that of T6SS-negative Acinetobacter baumanii (28.6%, 28.6%, 28.6%, 28.6%, 9.5%, 23.8%, 23.8%, 28.6%), and the differences were all statistically significant ( χ2=22.12, 22.12, 6.51, 22.12, 21.83, 24.72, 13.79, 18.97, respectively, all P<0.05). The biofilm formation ability, serum resistance and competitive ability of T6SS-positive Acinetobacter baumanii were stronger than those of T6SS-negative Acinetobacter baumanii, and the differences were all statistically significant ( t=4.99, Z=-2.61 and -2.27, respectively, all P<0.05). The positive rate of T6SS isolated from intensive care unit (ICU) ward (80.0%, 16/20) was significantly higher than that from non-ICU ward (32.0%, 8/25; χ2=10.29, P<0.05). But T6SS had no effect on the prognosis of patients ( χ2=1.74, P=0.188). Conclusions:T6SS of Acinetobacter baumanii is associated with high pathogenicity, and the high drug resistance rate makes treatment extremely difficult. Physicians need to pay much attention, especially to the patients from ICU wards.