INVESTIGATING THE DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ACINETOBACTER SPECIES IN PATIENT SAMPLES AND DEFINING THEIR ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PROFILES

Abstract

The prevalence of Acinetobacter species, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii, has been rising in intensive care units, contributing significantly to healthcare-associated infections. This study aims to detect and identify these bacteria from patient samples while defining their antibiotic resistance profiles. Conducted over 24 months in a tertiary care hospital, the research involved collecting clinical samples, including blood, wound swabs, respiratory secretions, and urine, from suspected Acinetobacter infections. Samples were cultured on selective media, and identification was confirmed through biochemical tests and molecular techniques such as PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed alarming resistance rates: 76% for ampicillin, 64% for ciprofloxacin, and 66% for imipenem, with 55.6% of strains classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) and 22.2% as extensively drug-resistant (XDR). These findings underscore the critical challenge posed by Acinetobacter species in healthcare settings, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced infection control measures and effective antibiotic stewardship. The rising resistance trends, particularly to last-resort antibiotics like colistin, highlight the necessity for continuous monitoring and innovative therapeutic strategies to combat these formidable pathogens.

Keywords: Acinetobacter species, Acinetobacter baumannii, antibiotic resistance, multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), healthcare-associated infections, susceptibility testing, infection control, tertiary care hospital, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)..