Prevalence of OXA genes responsible for carbapenem-resistance among Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from clinical samples in Iraq

Background: Acinetobacter, measured as an opportunistic pathogen has lately occurred as a vital nosocomial pathogen in the world, frequently relating patients with reduced host defenses. Patients in dangerous cases obtain infections while they are staying in care wards, so the incidence of these infections varies significantly in different individuals and clinical settings. Objectives: This work aims to examine the prevalence of carbapenem-resistance genes among isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii gathered from three hospitals in Iraq. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 isolates of A. baumannii were gathered from different clinical samples from February to July 2022. DNA of all specimens was extracted. Gradient polymerase chain reaction was applied to discover the genes of bla-OXA carbapenemases. Results: The results exhibited a variation of carbapenemase genes in all isolates that had been examined. Although all isolates had at least three genes of carbapenemase that have been tested, the most commonly identified genes in class D β-lactamases were bla OXA-51 and bla OXA-23 which was established in all isolates of A. baumannii 30 (100%) tested. It was also found that nine (30%) of tested isolates had borne the gene of bla OXA-58. No isolate exhibited amplification for the gene of bla OXA-40. Conclusion: The maximum occurrence and prevalence of the genes of OXA β-lactamase in A. baumannii bacteria in Iraqi hospitals were bla OXA-23 and bla OXA-51.