Prevalence of blaTEM and blaVEB Genes in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Strains Isolated from Burn Wound Infection in Isfahan, Iran

Aims: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that is resistant to many antibiotics including beta-lactams. Production of β-lactamases is the main mechanism of β-lactam resistance in A. baumannii strains. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of blaTEM and blaVEB genes in clinical isolates of A. baumannii and the relationship between the antibiotic resistance and the presence of ESBL genes in strains isolated from burn wound infection in Isfahan. Materials & Methods: In this study, 123 MDR A. baumannii strains were isolated from burn wound infection. After antibiotic resistance evaluation using the Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method, all the isolates were evaluated with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect ESBL genes, followed by statistical analysis by the end. Findings: Out of 123 A. baumannii isolates, 77 (62.60%) strains were ESBL positive according to the PCR results. The frequency of blaTEM and blaVEB genes was 52 (42.3%) and 67 (54.5%), respectively. There was a significant relationship between the antibiotic resistance and the presence of ESBL genes (blaTEM and blaVEB) in A. baumannii strains. Conclusion: The high prevalence of blaTEM and blaVEB genes in A. baumannii strains found in this study is the major concern about burn wound infections in Isfahan and Iran because of the complexity in treating infections caused by these strains. This study results highlighted the need for infection control measures to prevent the spread of resistant isolates and ESBL genes, especially in burn hospitals.