Authors : Ivy Viswamohanan, S A Lakshminarayana, Ashish Jitendranath, L Bhargavi
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijmr.2019.071
Volume : 6
Issue : 4
Year : 2019
Page No : 336-340
Introduction: Acinetobacter spp. is one of the most common opportunistic bacterial pathogen causing
hospital acquired infections. Its extensive resistance spectrum has earned it a “red alert” label among
human pathogens. The emergence of MBL production among Acinetobacter spp has proved a global threat
due to its broad spectrum of activity and limited treatment options.
Aims: To determine the prevalence of MBL among clinical isolates of Acinetobacter spp in a tertiary care
hospital and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern.
Materials and Methods: 57 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter spp obtained over a period of 1 year was
subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines.
The carbapenem resistant strains were screened for MBL production by Imipenem-EDTA Combined disc
test and Double disc synergy test. MBL E-test was used for confirmation of MBL production.
Results: Of the 57 isolates, carbapenem resistance was recorded in 39 isolates. Screening tests for MBL
showed 24 to be positive by CDT and 16 to be positive by DDST. All 24 of the Acinetobacter spp
isolates that tested MBL positive by the screening test showed positive result by E-test. The prevalence
of confirmed MBL by E-test among Acinetobacter spp was found to be 42.2%. The MBL isolates, in
addition to resistance to cephalosporins and carbapenems, showed statistically significant resistance to
fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. Colistin was found to be 100% sensitive and hence may prove a
possible therapeutic option.
Keywords: Metallo -beta-lactamase, Acinetobacter, Combined dist test, Double disc synergy test, E-test.