TITLE:
Phenotypic Characterization and Prevalence of Carbapenemase-Producing Acinetobacter baumanii Isolates in Four Health Facilities in Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Cécile Ingrid Djuikoue, Benhamed Nadjia, Paule Dana Djouela Djoulako, Celianthe Guegang, Cedric Seugnou Nana, Hélène Valérie Same Njanjo, Yemina Grace Kombeu, Christiane Kiyang Possi, Rodrigue Kamga Wouambo, Gandhi Ndieffouo Fosso, Merimé Joel Tchinda Talokou, Bianca Tchounga Chimi, Olivier Pomte, Agbor Michael, Benjamin D. Thumamo Pokam, Nicolas Antoine-Moussiaux
KEYWORDS:
Acinetobacter baumannii, Resistance, Carbapenemases, Health Facilities
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Medical Microbiology,
Vol.13 No.3,
September
28,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background and Objective: Nowadays, the clinical
utility of carbapenems is threatened by the emergence of resistant bacteria, favored
by its increasing use. According to the WHO, Acinetobacter baumannii: nosocomial infection agent, tops the list of
priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens, considered to be the riskiest for humans.
This study sought to determine the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii strains in four health
facilities in the Center and Littoral regions of Cameroon and the associated risk
factors. Materials and Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted
over a six-month period from January to June 2022. All suspicious A. baumanii isolates obtained from pathological samples at the bacteriology
laboratory of the different health facilities were systematically collected and
re-identified. Re-identification and antimicrobial susceptibility Testing (AST)were performed using the VITEK 2 System and the Kirby-Bauer
method according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
(CLSI). Detection and phenotypic characterization of carbapenemases was performed
according to adequate standard procedures. Results: A total of 168/226 clinical
isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii were
confirmed after re-identification, among which 52.69% derived from male patients,
55.09% from participants aged between 10 - 39 years old, and 46.71% from pus samples. A very high resistance rates to
all families of antibiotics was noted, except to colistin (10.2%). 40.12% of these
isolates produced carbapenemase, represented by 62.69% of class B and 37.31% of
class A. Carbapenemase production was observed only at HMR1, Centre region and at Laquintinie hospital, Littoral region with 53.33% and
50% respectively, even if there is no significant difference (P = 0.81). In addition, frequent hospitalisation was significantly associated to the production of carbapenemase among A. baumanii (Adjusted-OR = 16.53, P-value 0.0001). Conclusion: This study highlighted the emergence of carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii which is increasingly growing. Continuous drug-resistant monitoring and preventive
measures could help to prevent and curb the dissemination of A. baumanii resistance genes, especially in health settings.