Comparative Evaluation of Four Phenotypic
Tests for Detection of Metallo-ß-Lactamase
and Carbapenemase Production in
Acinetobacter baumannii
DC05-DC08
Correspondence
Dr. Beena Antony,
Professor, Department of Microbiology, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore,
Karnataka-575002, South, India.
Phone: +919448024684, E-mail: beenafmmc@gmail.com
Introduction: Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging multi-drug resistant opportunistic pathogen that causes a variety of nosocomial infections. In recent years, carbapenem resistance in A.baumannii has increased due to Ambler class B Metallo ß-lactamases or class D OXA Carbapenemases.
Objective: The present study was undertaken to detect and compare the various phenotypic methods for MBL production in nosocomial A.baumannii isolates. Materials and Methods: One hundred sixty eight A.baumannii isolates were subjected to disc diffusion assay. Imipenem resistant isolates were subjected to 4 different phenotypic tests. MBL screening was done by Imipenem-EDTA double disc synergy test, Imipenem-EDTA combined disc test, Modified Hodge test and MBL E-test.
Results: Out of 168 A.baumannii isolates, 85 (50.59%) were imipenem resistant. Among these 85 isolates, 57 (67.05%) were MBL positive by DDST, 69 (81.18%) by CDT, 85 (100%) by MHT and all these 85 isolates were confirmed to be MBL positive by MBL E-test method.
Conclusion: Combined disc test, Modified Hodge test & E-test are equally effective to detect MBL production. However, considering the cost constraints of E-test, simple MHT and CDT can be used. They are easy, economical and can be incorporated into routine testing in laboratories to monitor the emergence of MBLs in MDR A.baumannii.