Co-occurrence of carbapenemase and ESBL encoding genes in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt | ||||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 23 July 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.400776.2988 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Zainab I Rashed1; Sherein G elgendy2; Amal Mohammed Hosni3; Ehsan MW El-Sabaa  1
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| 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt | ||||
| 2Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt | ||||
| 3Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is an emerging threat to healthcare systems worldwide due to its association with high morbidity, mortality, and, hard-to-treat infections. In Egypt, the prevalence of CRAB infections is rising, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, and molecular antimicrobial resistance characteristics of CRAB isolates obtained from patients at Assiut University Hospitals in Egypt. Methods: Between July 2022 and January 2023, 50 CRAB isolates were identified and tested for antibiotic resistance through normal laboratory procedures. PCR was used to detect important resistance genes: blaOXA-51-like, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaTEM. Results: During the study period, all the isolates were found to be highly resistant to several antibiotics, including carbapenems. Resistance genes such as blaOXA-51-like, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaVIM were found in 100%, 54%, 36%, and 76% of isolates; respectively. Most of the isolates (88%) co-expressed more than one resistance gene. While ICU isolates were more genetically diverse, more resistant strains were found in non-ICU wards. Conclusions: The research highlights the widespread occurrence of highly resistant strains of A. baumannii in critical as well as non-critical care hospital settings. The widespread co-existence of carbapenemase and ESBL genes highlights the need for strict infection control protocols, enhanced surveillance, and the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches to avoid further dissemination. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Acinetobacter baumannii; CRAB; carbapenemase; metallo-β-lactamases; infection control | ||||
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