Clonal spread of carbapenem-resistant OXA-23-positive Acinetobacter baumannii in a Bulgarian university hospital

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2008 Jul;14(7):723-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02018.x.

Abstract

From October 1999 to September 2006, 29 carbapenem-resistant isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii were collected consecutively from patients hospitalized in different wards of the University Hospital in Pleven, Bulgaria. The bla(OXA-23) gene, associated with the upstream-located ISAba1, was identified as the mechanism responsible for carbapenem resistance in all isolates. The isolates belonged to two different clonal groups, indicating a sustained hospital outbreak. This study demonstrates both the epidemic potential of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii and its longevity in the hospital environment.

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter Infections / epidemiology*
  • Acinetobacter Infections / microbiology
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / classification
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / drug effects*
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / enzymology
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / genetics*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques
  • Bulgaria / epidemiology
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology*
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • DNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Female
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Genotype
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • beta-Lactam Resistance*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carbapenems
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • beta-lactamase OXA-23
  • beta-Lactamases