Investigation on antimicrobial resistance pattern of Acinetobacter spp. isolated from patients of Bangladesh

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Acinetobacter spp. is becoming prevalent and poses a significant danger to worldwide public health. A total of 4247 culture sensitivity data were analysed from BIRDEM General Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, Dhaka, along with patient demographics for the last three years (2022 – 2024) from diverse biological specimens, including urine, pus, blood and other biological fluids. The most prevalent pathogen was Escherichia coli (n=1482), followed by Klebsiella spp. (n=1084), Pseudomonas spp. (n=550), Acinetobacter spp. (n=306) and Staphylococcus aureus (n=215). Highest level of antibiotic resistance was exhibited against ciprofloxacin (88.0%), amoxicillin (75.7%), cefixime (75.3%), and cefuroxime (74.2%). A subset of 18 Acinetobacter spp. clinical isolates was cultured for confirmatory testing by PCR. Among 18 Acinetobacter spp. clinical isolates, 16 were PCR-positive. There was 80% total MDR and 20% was non-MDR. Among the clinical isolates 88.9% (n=16) were MDR. Interestingly, there were a single PDR (n=1) isolate. Complete (100%) resistance was exhibited against ceftriaxone and ceftazidime, followed by amoxicillin (98%), meropenem (95%), and cefixime (94%). Overall findings highlight a deteriorating public health issue that necessitates urgent intervention to halt AMR.