Molecular Typing ofExtensively Drug ResistantAcinetobacter baumanniiClinical Isolates Using Arbitrarily Primed PCR(AP-PCR)

Abstract

Genotypic study of the strains is crucial for determining the genetic relationships between the strains and epidemiological investigations as wellas for monitoring their geographic distribution. The goal of this study was to detect genetic similarities and differences between extensively drug resistant Acinetobacter baumanniiisolates from patients in different hospitalsin Diyala/Iraqby using Arbitrarily-PCR technique. The present investigation was conducted from October 2022 to March 2023. A total of 30 isolates of Acinetobacter baumanniiwere obtained from a sample size of 200 specimens. Isolates were identified using both traditional methods and the VITEK 2 compact system. Theisolates was determined using the disc diffusion method.All A. baumanniiisolates were resistance to (Piperacillin, Ceftazidime, Cefepime, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Ampicillin–sulbactam, Piperacillin–sulbactam,Ticarcillin–clavulanic acid and Gentamicin) in percentage (100%) While resistance to Amikacin 96.7%. Imepenem and Meropenem was 76.7%, Levofloxacin was 66.7% and finally to Ciprofloxacin was 63.3%. Eleven(11) isolates (36.7%) were multi drug resistant, and nineteen (19) isolates (63.3%) were extensively drug resistant. The genetic variability of 19 extensively drug-resistant A. baumanniistrains were investigated with the AP-PCR method, the genetic fingerprint has14 bands with molecular weights ranging from (300-4000) bp.AP-PCR typing showed a total of 19 XDR-A. baumanniiisolates revealed 13 different clones with 90% similarity cutoff value include 6 groups of genotypes and 7 unique isolates.The present study concluded by demonstrating that the AP-PCR approach is a reliable, simple, quick, and cost-effective tool for examining the genetic diversity of A. baumanniiisolates.