Molecular Epidemiology and Characterization of Genotypes of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates from Regions of South China

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2016 May 20;69(3):180-5. doi: 10.7883/yoken.JJID.2014.544. Epub 2015 Jul 10.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the molecular epidemiologic characteristics of Acinetobacter baumannii. A total of 398 isolates were collected in 7 regions of South China from January to June of 2012. Drug sensitivity was tested toward 15 commonly used antibiotics; thus, 146 multi-drug-resistant strains (resistant to more than 7 drugs) were identified, representing 36.7% of all isolates. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were used for molecular subtyping. According to the PFGE results (with a cutoff of 70% similarity for the DNA electrophoretic bands), 146 strains were subdivided into 15 clusters, with cluster A being the largest (33.6%, distributed in all districts except Jiaxing). Cluster B was also widespread and included 14.4% of all strains. In addition, MLST results revealed 11 sequence types (ST), with ST208 being the most prevalent, followed by ST191 and ST729. Furthermore, 4 novel alleles and 6 novel STs were identified. Our results showed that multi-drug-resistant A. baumannii in South China shares the origin with other widespread strains in other countries. The nosocomial infections caused by A. baumannii have been severe in South China. Continuous monitoring and judicious antibiotic use are required.

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter Infections / diagnosis
  • Acinetobacter Infections / drug therapy
  • Acinetobacter Infections / epidemiology*
  • Acinetobacter Infections / microbiology
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / classification
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / drug effects
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / genetics*
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / isolation & purification
  • Alleles
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / diagnosis
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Genotype*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Multigene Family
  • Multilocus Sequence Typing
  • Phylogeny*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents