Evaluation of Antibiotic Resistance and Susceptibility Patterns in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter spp

Abstract

Antimicrobial-resistant Acinetobacter species (spp.) have emerged as significant healthcare-associated pathogens because they can develop resistance to many antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat. This study aims to evaluate antibiotic resistance and susceptibility patterns among Acinetobacter (A.) species. Six hundred twenty-four (624) clinical samples were collected from both inpatients and outpatients. Forty-four (44) Acinetobacter spp. isolates were identified by culture and biochemical characteristics and then confirmed with the VITEK 2 system. The antibiotic susceptibility profile was determined using the VITEK 2 AST-419 card. Acinetobacter spp. represented 7.1% of all isolates. The Acinetobacter baumannii complex was the most common, with 35 (79.6%), followed by A. haemolyticus 7 (15.9%) and A. lwoffii 2 (4.5%) isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility test showed the highest resistance rates to ampicillin/sulbactam 38 (86.4%), piperacillin 34 (77.3%), cefotaxime 29 (65.9%), levofloxacin 29 (65.9%), ciprofloxacin 28 (63.6%), ceftazidime 28 (63.6%), ticarcillin/clavulinate 27 (61.4%), and imipenem 27 (61.4%). Most isolates were sensitive to minocycline 34 (77.3%) and colistin 2 (4.5%), respectively. The data showed increased resistance to common antibiotics. Colistin, minocycline, and amikacin were effective antibiotic for managing infections induced by Acinetobacter species. Extensive drug resistance (XDR) and multidrug resistance (MDR) were the most prevalent among the Acinetobacter spp. isolates.