EMERGENCE OF IMIPENEM RESISTANT ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATES FROM VARIOUS CLINICAL SAMPLES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KANCHIPURAM DISTRICT

Background: Acinetobacter is an important opportunistic pathogen and is a common cause of hospital acquired infections including bacteremia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, peritonitis, etc. In the recent past carbapenems had been drugs of choice for serious infections with Acinetobacter baumannii, but imipenem resistant strains are rapidly emerging. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of imipenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(IRAB) isolates from various clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A total of 734 samples were collected over a period of one year from November 2017 to November 2018. Bacterial isolates were identified using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI) guidelines. Results: Of 734 specimens, 191 (26%) were Acinetobacter baumannii. Among the Acinetobacter baumannii isolates 93 (49%) were resistant to imipenem. Isolates were predominantly from males(56%) followed by females(44%). Maximum number of Acinetobacter baumannii were from urine samples 67(35%), followed by pus 43(23%), sputum 37(19%), miscellaneous (body fluids and others) 29(15%) and blood 16(8%). Imipenem Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB)were from urine samples 31(33%), followed by pus 22(24%), sputum 18(19%), miscellaneous (body fluids and others) 15(16%) and blood 7(8%). Conclusion: This study highlights the high prevalence of imipenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii among clinical samples. The emergence of IRAB is a serious global threat to public health. Hence there is a need for strict infection control and monitoring of antimicrobial therapy to combat infections caused by IRAB