Evaluating the antibacterial effect of meropenem-loaded chitosan/sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) nanoparticles on Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from hospitalized patients

BACKGROUND

Acinetobacter baumannii is a health threat due to its antibiotic resistance. Herein, antibiotic susceptibility and its association with the Toxin-antitoxin (TA) system genes in A. baumannii clinical isolates from Iran were investigated. Next, we prepared meropenem-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (MP-CS) and investigated their antibacterial effects against meropenem-susceptible bacterial isolates.

METHODS

Out of 240 clinical specimens, 60 A. baumannii isolates were assessed. Antibiotic resistance of the isolates against conventional antibiotics was determined alongside investigating the presence of three TA system genes (mazEF, relBE, and higBA). Chitosan nanoparticles were characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and meropenem release activity. Their antibacterial effects were assessed using the well diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and colony-forming unit (CFU) counting. Their cytotoxic effects and biocompatibility index were determined via the MTT, LDH, and ROS formation assays.

RESULTS

Ampicillin, ceftazidime, and colistin were the least effective, and amikacin and tobramycin were the most effective antibiotics. Out of the 60 isolates, 10 (16.7%), 5 (8.3%), and 45 (75%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pandrug-resistant (PDR), respectively. TA system genes had no significant effect on antibiotic resistance. MP-CS nanoparticles demonstrated an average size of 191.5 and zeta potential of 27.3 mV alongside a maximum encapsulation efficiency of 88.32% and release rate of 69.57%. MP-CS nanoparticles mediated similar antibacterial effects, as compared with free meropenem, against the A. baumannii isolates with significantly lower levels of meropenem. MP-CS nanoparticles remarkably prevented A549 and NCI-H292 cell infection by the A. baumannii isolates alongside demonstrating a favorable biocompatibility index.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles should be further designed and investigated to increase their antibacterial effect against A. baumannii and assess their safety and applicability in vivo settings.

Immune Response to Conjugates of Fragments of the Type K9 Capsular Polysaccharide of Acinetobacter baumannii with Carrier Proteins

The clonal bacterial species Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen which causes high-lethality infections. Cells of A. baumannii are surrounded by the type-specific capsular polysaccharide (CPS), which provides resistance to the protective mechanisms of the host and is considered a target for immunization. The conjugates of three inert carrier proteins and A. baumannii type K9 CPS fragments, which contained various numbers of oligosaccharide repeats (K-units), were synthesized by periodate oxidation and squaric acid chemistry. The conjugates were applied to immunize mice, and chemical synthesis by squaric acid was shown to significantly improve the immunogenic properties of glycoconjugate. In BALB/c mice, IgG antibodies were predominant among type K9 CPS reactive antibodies, and their total content was several times higher than that of IgM. Immune sera were characterized by their opsonization ability during practically the entire lives of the experimental mice. The sera were cross-reactive, but the highest specificity was observed against the antigen (type K9 CPS) used for immunization. The immunization of BALB/c and ICR-1 mice with a glycoconjugate without adjuvants led to varying degrees of stimulation of IL-10, IL-17A, and TNF-α production, but not IL-4 production in the ICR-1 mice. This is in contrast to the BALB/c mice, in which γ-IFN production was also activated. The protective effectiveness of the glycoconjugates obtained by squaric acid chemistry was demonstrated by experiments that involved challenging immunized and nonimmunized animals with a lethal dose of A. baumannii K9. IMPORTANCE Immunization by glycoconjugates with A. baumannii type K9 CPS fragments induced a high level of antibodies (predominantly IgG) in sera, which reacted specifically with the CPS of A. baumannii type K9, as well as a long immunological memory. The sera of immunized animals efficiently opsonized A. baumannii type K9. Immunization resulted in the balanced production of pro/anti-inflammatory lymphokines and protective antibodies to ensure the survival of the mice infected with A. baumannii. The level of specific antibodies was sufficient to provide protective immunity against the challenge by A. baumannii, making this approach applicable in the development of vaccine preparations.

Molecular Detection of OXA-type Carbapenemases among Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Burn Patients and Hospital Environments

Background:

Acinetobacter baumannii is known as one of the major causes of nosocomial infections, especially in intensive care units and burn patients. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in burn wound bacterial pathogens is a severe health crisis. Detection of carbapenem resistance and genetic elements in A. baumannii associated with burn patients and hospital environments play a key role in the control and alerting in clinical settings.

Purpose:

In this study, the prevalence of OXA-type carbapenemases was investigated in A. baumannii strains isolated from burn patients and from a hospital environment in Tehran, 2021.

Methods:

A total of 85 non-duplicate A. baumannii isolates (53 from various surfaces of the hospital environment and 32 from burn patients) were recovered in the Burns Hospital in Tehran. The A. baumannii isolates were screened for antibiotic susceptibility and the presence of the most common OXA-type carbapenemase genes.

Results:

A. baumannii was isolated from 38.5% of hospital patient burn wounds and 22.1% of surfaces, including burn units (15.6%) and intensive care units (52.4%). Antibiotic susceptibility results showed that (100%) of burn patient isolates were resistant to imipenem, while (100%) of ICU isolates and (96.8%) of burn isolates were resistant to imipenem. All clinical isolates were identified as MDR and XDR, whereas all (100%) and 98.1% of environmental isolates were identified as MDR and XDR, respectively. All studied A. baumannii isolates carried blaOXA-51-like gene. Moreover, 50 (94.3%) and 49 (92.5%) of environmental isolates, 32 (100%) and 30 (93.7%) of burn patient isolate harbored blaOXA-23-like and blaOXA-24/40–like genes, respectively. None of the isolates carried the blaOXA-58 or blaOXA-143 genes and all isolates had at least 2 OXA-type carbapenemase genes.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that surfaces in the hospital environment, particularly in ICUs, are contaminated with MDR or XDR A. baumannii strains. They may be considered a potential reservoir for the colonization of hospital patients. In addition, OXA-type carbapenemases, including OXA-23-like and OXA-24/40-like, appear to be one of the major mechanisms of carbapenem resistance in the clinical and environmental A. baumannii strains.

High Frequency of Class I and II Integrons and the Presence of aadA2 and dfrA12 Gene Cassettes in the Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from Shiraz, Southwest of Iran

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is a global concern that causes healthcare-associated infections due to multidrug resistance against commercially available antimicrobial agents. Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of A. baumannii isolates from clinical specimens in Shiraz, Iran. In addition, the possible relationship of susceptibility patterns with the presence of integrons and related gene cassettes is investigated. Methods: A. baumannii isolates were collected, and their susceptibility to various antibiotics was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Moreover, molecular analyses were performed to detect the presence of the OXA-51-like gene, as well as class I, II, and III integrons, and associated gene cassettes. Results: The majority of isolates were resistant to imipenem (99.4%), piperacillin (98.2%), gentamycin (98.2%), meropenem (97.7%), ceftazidime (95.4%), amikacin (95.4%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (90.8%). All strains showed multidrug resistance to the tested antibiotics. The distribution analysis of integrons genes revealed that 90.2, 72.4, and 12.1% of the isolates carried intI1, intI2, and intI3 genes, respectively. Moreover, two types of prevalent gene cassettes, including aad and dfr, were detected in class 1 integron-carrying strains. Conclusions: The current study showed the high prevalence of A. baumannii isolates harboring integrons in our investigated medical center, which may indicate the distribution of multidrug resistance events. The different gene cassette arrays in the present study highlight the remarkable role of geographical issues in disseminating multidrug-resistant isolates. This could be attributed to distinct therapeutic interventions in different areas. The results demonstrate the necessity of continuous surveillance to prevent the distribution of multidrug resistance among A. baumannii strains in Iran.

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii as an emerging concern in hospitals

Acinetobacter baumannii has become a major concern for scientific attention due to extensive antimicrobial resistance. This resistance causes an increase in mortality rate because strains resistant to antimicrobial agents are a major challenge for physicians and healthcare workers regarding the eradication of either hospital or community-based infections. These strains with emerging resistance are a serious issue for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Antibiotic resistance has increased because of the acquirement of mobile genetic elements such as transposons, plasmids, and integrons and causes the prevalence of multidrug resistance strains (MDR). In addition, an increase in carbapenem resistance, which is used as last line antibiotic treatment to eliminate infections with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, is a major concern. Carbapenems resistant A. baumannii (CR-Ab) is a worldwide problem. Because these strains are often resistant to all other commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, pathogenic multi-drug resistance A. baumannii (MDR-Ab) associated infections become hard to eradicate. Plasmid-mediated resistance causes outbreaks of extensive drug-resistant. A. baumannii (XDR-Ab). In addition, recent outbreaks relating to livestock and community settings illustrate the existence of large MDR-Ab strain reservoirs within and outside hospital settings. The purpose of this review, proper monitoring, prevention, and treatment are required to control (XDR-Ab) infections. Attachment, the formation of biofilms and the secretion of toxins, and low activation of inflammatory responses are mechanisms used by pathogenic A. baumannii strain. This review will discuss some aspects associated with antibiotics resistance in A. baumannii as well as cover briefly phage therapy as an alternative therapeutic treatment.

Evaluating the resistance pattern of gram-negative bacteria during three years at the nephrology ward of a referral hospital in southwest of Iran

BACKGROUND

Gram-negative bacteria are associated with an increase in rates of antibacterial resistance. In most low- and middle-income countries such as Iran, there is no continuous surveillance system for antibiotic resistance.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this survey was to determine the pattern of antimicrobial sensitivity of gram-negative bacteria within 3 consecutive years at a nephrology ward of Nemazee hospital in Shiraz.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During a 3-year period from 2013 to 2015 at the adult nephrology ward, bacteriological data of all biological samples of hospitalized patients in favor of gram-negative microorganisms were analyzed retrospectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

RESULTS

The most common gram negative bacterium isolated from biological samples was Escherichia coli (43.9%). The highest (86.3%-94.1%) antibacterial resistance rate was associated with Acinetobacter spp. The most frequent resistance was seen with cephalosporins. In contrast to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin and aminoglycosides remained their acceptable activity against E. coli. At least three-fourths (75%) of Acinetobacter spp. isolates was resistant to either aminoglycosides or imipenem. All (100%) isolated Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa species were susceptible to colistin. The rate of Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa resistant to three or more drugs was 81.7% and 74.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The resistant rate of gram negative pathogens to different tested antibacterial agents was considerably high and has increased during the recent three years in our center.

Systematic Review of Antimicrobial Resistance of Clinical Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates in Iran: An Update

Treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii has become a medical challenge because of the increasing incidence of multiresistant strains and a lack of viable treatment alternatives. This systematic review attempts to investigate the changes in resistance of A. baumannii to different classes of antibiotics in Iran, with emphasis on the antimicrobial activity of polymyxin B (PMB) and colistin (COL). Biomedical databases were searched for English-published articles evaluating microbiological activity of various antimicrobial agents, including PMB and COL. Then, the available data were extracted and analyzed. Thirty-one studies, published from 2009 to 2015, were identified which contain data for 3,018 A. baumannii clinical isolates. With the exception of polymyxins and tigecycline (TIG), there was a high rate of resistance to various groups of antibiotics, including carbapenems. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges for PMB and COL on A. baumannii isolates tested were 0.12-64 μg/ml and 0.001-128 μg/ml, respectively. Polymyxins showed adequate activity with no significant trends in the resistance rate during most of the study period. The incidence of resistance to TIG was estimated low from 2% to 38.4% among the majority of A. baumannii. The present systematic review of the published literatures revealed that multidrug-resistant (including carbapenem-resistant) strains of A. baumannii have increased in Iran. In these circumstances, the older antibiotics, such as COL or PMB, preferably in combination with other antimicrobials (rifampicin, meropenem), could be considered as the therapeutic solution against the healthcare-associated infections. Designing rational dosage regimens for patients to maximize the antimicrobial activity and minimize the emergence and prevalence of resistance is recommended.

Epidemiology of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important opportunistic pathogen that causes major public health concern especially in hospitalized patients due to the acquisition of multidrug resistance (MDR). The aim of this study was to systematically review published data about the prevalence rate of MDR-A. baumannii (MDR-AB) from different parts of Iran and provide an overall relative frequency (RF) using meta-analysis. All available national and international databanks were searched to find published studies up to June 2016. Quality of studies was assessed by STROB and PRISMA forms. Because of the significant heterogeneity observed, random effects model was used to combine the results. STATA SE version 11.2 was used for statistical analysis. Out of the 9646 results, 37 suitable articles were extracted according to inclusion and exlusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of MDR-AB was estimated 72% annually. Relative frequency of MDR-AB in different studies varied from 22.8 to 100%. Since the prevalence of MDR-AB is higher than many other countries, measures should be taken to keep the emergence and transmission of these strains to a minimum.

OXA-Carbapenemases Present in Clinical Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus Complex Isolates from Patients in Kurdistan Region, Iraq

In addition to intrinsic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii, many different types of acquired resistance mechanisms have been reported, including the presence of VIM and IMP metallo β-lactamases and also of bla_OXA-23-like and bla_OXA-58-like enzymes. In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the multiresistant A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex is prevalent. We characterized the different mechanisms of resistance present in clinical isolates collected from different wards and different hospitals from the Kurdistan region. One hundred twenty clinical nonduplicate A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates were collected from four hospitals between January 2012 and October 2013. The identification of the isolates was confirmed by MALDI-TOF. The susceptibility to different antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion and analyzed in accordance to EUCAST guidelines. By PCR, the presence of bla_OXA-51-like, bla_OXA-23-like, bla_OXA-24-like, and bla_OXA-58-like genes was determined as well as the presence of the insertion element ISAba1. Clonal diversity was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using the restriction enzyme ApaI and, in addition, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed on a selected subset of 15 isolates. All 120 A. baumannii isolates harbored bla_OXA-51-like genes. One hundred one out of 110 (92%) imipenem (IMP)-resistant A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates additionally carried the bla_OXA-23-like gene and four isolates (3%) were positive for bla_OXA-24-like. All 101 bla_OXA-23-like-positive isolates had the ISAba1 insertion sequence, 1,600 bp upstream of the bla_OXA-23-like gene. The bla_OXA-58-like gene was not detected in any of the 110 IMP-resistant strains. Eight different PFGE clusters were identified and distributed over the different hospitals. MLST analysis performed on a subset of 15 representative isolates revealed the presence of the international clone ST2 (Pasteur). Besides ST2 (Pasteur), also many other STs (Pasteur) were encountered such as ST136, ST94, ST623, ST792, and ST793, all carrying the bla_OXA-23 gene. In clinical A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex isolates from Kurdistan-Iraq, the bla_OXA-23 gene in combination with the upstream ISAba1 insertion element is largely responsible for carbapenem resistance. Several small clusters of identical genotypes were found from patients admitted to the same ward and during overlapping time periods, suggesting transmission within the hospital. Identification of source(s) and limiting the transmission of these strains to patients needs to be prioritized.

Distributions and Types of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Different Departments of a General Hospital

Background:

Acinetobacter baumannii is the most prevalent strain in hospitals and different clinical departments.

Objectives:

The current study aimed to investigate the genetic characteristics and resistance mechanisms of A. baumannii isolated from clinical samples in Shaoxing people’s hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, China.

Patients and Methods:

Acinetobacter baumannii strains were isolated from blood, phlegm and skin of the patients hospitalized in different departments as respiratory medicine, plastic surgery and intensive care unit (ICU). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to characterize the isolates. Kirby-Bauer test was used to evaluate antibiotic resistance of the bacteria. The expression of resistance inducing genes was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results were analyzed and compared.

Results:

Two bacterial types, ST208, and ST218, were identified in all 140 samples. The ST208 mainly came from ICU and department of respiratory medicine, while ST218 from department of plastic surgery; 70.21% of ST208 and 84.78% of ST218 were carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii (CSAB), respectively. Multidrug-resistance genes in CRAB isolated from the hospital mainly included, oxa-23, oxa-5, intl 1 and qaceΔ1-sul 1. Besides, the highest and lowest antibiotic resistance was observed in the strains isolated from blood samples and wounds, respectively.

Conclusions:

The distribution of AB varies in different clinical departments and samples. In the hospital under study, the main types of AB were ST208 and ST218. The genes which affect the ability of antibiotic-resistance were oxa-23, oxa-51, intl 1 and qaceΔ1-sul 1.

Correlation of Oxacillinase Gene Carriage With the Genetic Fingerprints of Imipenem-Resistant Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii

Background:

Emergence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has resulted in the treatment failure of related infections and an increase in patient mortality. The presence of class D β-lactamases (oxacillinases) in this organism is an important mechanism underlying resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.

Objectives:

The aim of this work was to investigate the correlation between oxacillinase gene carriage and genetic fingerprints in imipenem-resistant burn and non-burn isolates of A. baumannii.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty-eight A. baumannii isolates were collected from October 2011 to April 2012, which included 28 burn isolates from Shahid Motahari Hospital and 30 non-burn isolates from Imam Hossein Hospital. The minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) of imipenem were measured by the broth microdilution method. The presence of oxacillinase genes (OXA-23-, OXA-24-, OXA-51-, and OXA-58-like genes) was shown using type-specific primers and PCR. Genetic profiles were generated by RAPD-PCR fingerprinting.

Results:

OXA-23 was observed in 81% of the isolates and its distribution was similar within the two groups. The presence of OXA-51 was shown in 58.6% of the isolates, of which most were burn isolates (67.6%). OXA-24 was present in 20.7% of the isolates, all belonging to the burn group; OXA-58 was not observed in any of the isolates. RAPD-PCR fingerprints revealed two clusters at a similarity level of 70% (A, B). At a similarity level of 85%, nine different groups were observed for burn and non-bun isolates.

Conclusions:

Our results showed that bla_OXA-23 was the most prevalent gene, followed by bla_OXA-51, among the burn and non-burn clinical isolates of A. baumannii. Bla_OXA-24-like genes were detected at a lower level and were only found among the burn isolates, which also showed higher heterogeneity compared to the non-burn group.

Antibiotic Resistance Profile and Distribution of Oxacillinase Genes Among Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii in Shiraz Teaching Hospitals, 2012 - 2013

BACKGROUND

The emergence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii complicates the therapy of the related infections. Hospital isolates of A. baumannii are usually multidrug-resistant. The problem is compounded by increasing resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics including carbapenems.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and distribution of bla OXA -type carbapenemases genes among A. baumannii isolates from hospitalized patients in Shiraz, Southwest Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred A. baumannii isolates were recovered from different clinical specimens in four Shiraz teaching hospitals. Isolates were detected as A. baumannii by Microgen kit and PCR with specific primers of bla OXA-51-like gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined by disk diffusion method for all the isolates. Multiplex PCR assays were performed for detection of bla OXA-23-like , bla OXA-24-like and bla OXA-58-like genes.

RESULTS

All the isolates were susceptible to colistin and polymyxin B. Moreover, all of them were resistant to piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, ampicillin, ceftazidime, cefoxitin and aztreonam. Eighty (40%) isolates had positive results for bla OXA-23-like , 14 (7%) for bla OXA-24-like and 1 (0.5%) isolate for bla OXA-58-like . The co-existence of studied genes was detected for bla OXA-23-like plus bla OXA-24-like in nine (4.5%) isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of carbapenem resistant A. baumannii isolates in Shiraz hospitals is high. The bla OXA-23-like gene was the most frequent carbapenemase identified among resistant A. baumannii isolated in Shiraz hospitals. The increasing incidence of A. baumannii is a serious concern, therefore control of this pathogen and taking preventive measures are emphasized.

Antibiotic Resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii in Iran: A Systemic Review of the Published Literature

OBJECTIVES

Acinetobacter baumannii is a bacterium responsible for health care-associated infections, and it frequently develops multiple drug resistance (MDR). The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii in Iran has increased, and this may cause significant clinical problems. Therefore, in order to elucidate the development of antibiotic resistance, we performed a systematic review of the literature published on antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii reported in Iran.

METHODS

Thirty-six publications that met the criteria for inclusion were reviewed from an initial 87 papers. Selected papers published between 2008 and September 2014, were categorized on the basis of the sample collecting year been between 2001 and 2013.

RESULTS

Analysis of data revealed that, in general, there was an increase in antimicrobial resistance. During the initial time point of these studies (2001-2007) there was a high rate of resistance to all antibiotics, with the exception of carbapenems, lipopeptides, and aminoglycosides that had a low resistance rate in comparison with the others. Also, the resistance rate was increased in one group of these three antimicrobial groups from 2010 to 2013. In particular, there was an increase in resistance to carbapenems (imipenem and meropenem) from 2010-2011 and 2012-2013, whereas no significant change in the resistance rate of the other two antimicrobial groups (lipopeptides and aminoglycosides) during the study time was observed, although we did observe certain trends in amikacin (aminoglycoside group antibiotic) between 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that antimicrobial resistance of A. baumannii in Iran has increased, which may very well affect the antimicrobial resistance of this organism worldwide. Based on these results, novel prevention and treatment strategies against A. baumannii infections are warranted. Furthermore, these data may assist in revising treatment guidelines and regional policies in care units to slow the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.