ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION OF ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII RESISTANT TO CARBAPENEM AND THEIR EFFECT ON MICE HEPATORENAL FUNCTIONS.

This study was carried out to illustrate multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii which have carbapenem resistance genes and to show its effect on mice hepatorenal functions. Forty four (4.2%) A.baumannii strains were isolated from 1050 positive cultures of all nosocomial pathogens isolated from Mansoura University Hospitals over one year. Sensitivity rates of A.baumannii were (28%) to imipinem, (66%) to meropenem, and (50%) to amikacin. Phenotypic detection of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) was done by the Modified Hodge test which showed that (54.55 %) of A.baumannii were positive and 45.45% were negative. The blaOXA genes were identified in A.baumannii by PCR analysis of which (72.72%) were positive for blaOXA-23 gene and (29.54%) were positive for blaOXA-58 gene. Statistically significant increase of mice liver function markers in serum of infected mice in group I (infected with resistant A.baumannii strain) and group II (infected with sensitive A.baumannii strain) in comparison to control group and the effect in the group I was higher than group II indicating that resistance genes may be accompanied by virulence genes. Regarding the renal function tests there were slight changes in the form decrease of creatinine and urea levels in infected mice in comparison to the control group with no statistically significant change. There were no considerable change in Na+, K+, and uric acid levels. Statistically significant decrease of Glutathione level (GSH) and in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were found in mice liver tissue in group I and II in comparison to control group. It may be concluded that, A. baumannii infections in human need early detection, with restriction of the usage of carbapenems and improving infection-control procedures. The effect of A. baumannii infections in mice especially on liver functions, decrease immunity and disturb antioxidant balance.