Abstract

Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An Emerging Health Threat in Aseer Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Author(s): Mohammed K Almaghrabi

The study aims to determine the prevalence of multi-drug resistant A. baumannii in Aseer region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study evaluated the antibiotic susceptibility of ninety four (n =94) clinical isolates of A. baumannii. The isolates were collected from the south region of Saudi Arabia; and notably Aseer region, during the period from 15 October 2014 to 15 January 2015. The isolates were tentatively identifi ed as A. baumannii by routine bench tests; and were confi rmed by using VITEK® 2 Compact. The latest instrument was used to identify antibiotic susceptibility of these isolates. Results: Antibiotic susceptibility in this study showed that 69% of these isolates were multi-drug resistant strains. Moreover, they were highly resistant to carbapenem drugs. Several strains of these isolates were found to be extremely resistant to test antibiotics, and were only sensitive to one or two of them. Conclusion: High rate of multi-drug resistance A. baumannii bacteraemia has emerged in the south region of Saudi Arabia as an important health problem. Therefore, it is considered as a new threat in hospitals, which requires a tremendous effort to stop its escalation and spread.