%0 Journal Article
%T Genetic profile and characterization of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii post-COVID-19 pandemic: a study in a tertiary hospital in Recife, Brazil.
%A Rocha IV
%A Martins LR
%A Pimentel MIS
%A Mendes RPG
%A Lopes ACS
%J J Appl Microbiol
%V 135
%N 6
%D 2024 Jun 3
%M 38886125
%F 4.059
%R 10.1093/jambio/lxae148
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To investigate the genetic profile and characterize antimicrobial resistance, including the main β-lactam antibiotic resistance genes, in Acinetobacterbaumannii isolates from a tertiary hospital in Recife-PE, Brazil, in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were collected between 2023 and 2024 from diverse clinical samples. Antimicrobial resistance testing followed standardized protocols, with β-lactamase-encoding genes detected via PCR and sequencing. Investigation into ISAba1 upstream of blaOXA-carbapenemase and blaADC genes was also conducted. Genetic diversity was assessed through ERIC-PCR. Among the 78 A. baumannii, widespread resistance to multiple antimicrobials was evident. Various acquired β-lactamase-encoding genes (blaOXA-23,-24,-58,-143, blaVIM, and blaNDM) were detected. Furthermore, this is the first report of blaVIM-2 in A. baumannii isolates harboring either the blaOXA-23-like or the blaOXA-143 gene in Brazil. Molecular typing revealed a high genetic heterogeneity among the isolates, and multi-clonal dissemination.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The accumulation of genetic resistance determinants underscores the necessity for stringent infection control measures and robust antimicrobial stewardship programs to curb multidrug-resistant strains.