Emergence of multidrug resistant acinetobacter baumannii in an ICU.

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: Acinetobacter baumannii is emerging as an important pathogen causing hospital acquired infections. The present study was directed to find out the incidence, antibiotic susceptibility and metallo β lactamases production of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from various clinical samples, in an intensive care unit. Methods: Isolation of Acinetobacter baumannii from various clinical samples was done. The isolates were tested for antibiotic sensitivity as per conventional methods. Imipenem resistant isolates were further tested for MBL production by double disk synergy test and MBL E test. Results: Total number of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from clinical samples was 48. Maximum number of isolates were from blood (31.25%) followed by endotracheal aspiration (25%). Total 10 (20.83%) isolates were imipenem resistant, among which, 9(18.75%) were metallo β lactamases producers. MBL producers were more resistant to commonly used antibiotics than its non MBL producing counter parts. All isolates were susceptible to colistin (10 μg), polymyxin B (300 μg) and tigecycline (15μg).Conclusions: Multidrug resistant, metallo β lactamases producing Acinetobacter baumannii infection was not uncommon in our intensive care unit. Colistin, polymyxin B and tigecycline were very effective against such isolates.