RESUMEN
Background: Imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. resulting from metallo-beta-lactamase [MBLs]-producing strains have been reported to be among important causes of nosocomial infections and of serious therapeutic problem worldwide
Objective: To determine the prevalence of metallo-beta-lactamase among imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter isolates based on phenotypic methods
Methods: This was an descriptive study in which 140 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter spp. Were initially tested for imipenem susceptibility and later for metallo-beta-lactamase production using combined disk diffusion, double disk synergy test, and Hodge test during 2010. Antibiotic susceptibility of positive metallo-beta-lactamase isolates were further evaluated by disk diffusion technique using CLSI methodology
Findings: Of 140 isolates, 29 [20.7%] were imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter. Positive phonetypic test for metallo-beta-lactamase was 24 [17.1%]
Conclusion: The result of this study is indicative of growing number of nosocomial infections associated with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter spp. in this region leading to difficulties in antibiotic therapy