Detection of blaoxa genes and identification of biofilm-producing capacity of Acinetobacter baumannii in a tertiary teaching hospital, Klaten, Indonesia

INTRODUCTION: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is commonly found as an agent of nosocomial infections and demonstrates a high antibiotic resistance due to its carbapenemase production. The objectives of this study were to explore the antibiotic resistance pattern, the presence of OXAs genes and the biofilm-producing capacity of A. baumannii isolated from clinical specimens.

METHODS: Antibiotics susceptibility testing, detection of OXAs genes and the biofilm-producing capacity were performed using the Kirby Bauer method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and adherence quantitative assays, respectively.

RESULTS: A total of 80 A. baumannii isolates were mainly obtained from sputum and most of them were resistant to antibiotics. All A. baumannii carried blaOXA-51 gene, yet no blaOXA-24 and blaOXA-58 genes were detected. Fourteen (82.4%) of the 17 meropenem resistant isolates carried blaOXA-23 gene, but it was not found in meropenem sensitive isolates. In addition, sixty (75.0%) of 80 isolates were biofilm producers with 2 (2.5%), 16 (20.0%), and 42 (52.5%) isolates were identified as strong, moderate and weak biofilm producers, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Most of A. baumannii isolates had a high level of antibiotic resistance and had a capacity to produce biofilm.