•  
  •  
 

Corresponding Author

Mohamed Abdel Samee Gadallah

Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) poses a significant global public health challenge, with efflux pumps being a central factor in its antimicrobial defense mechanisms.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate efflux activity in A. baumanniiusing an inhibitor, and to determine the prevalence of key efflux-related genes through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis.

Methods: Forty isolates of A. baumannii were initially identified using traditional techniques and then confirmed via PCR assays. Efflux activity was evaluated by using carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) in conjunction with selected antimicrobial agents. PCR-based detection was utilized to investigate the prevalence of efflux-related genes AdeB, AdeJ, AdeG, qacE, and qacΔE.

Results: The incorporation of CCCP significantly enhanced ciprofloxacin susceptibility, as evidenced by a reduction in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) observed in 87.50% of isolates. Additionally, CCCP contributed to a lowering of MIC values of meropenem in 85.00% of isolates. Furthermore, in 72.50% of isolates, the MIC values of benzalkonium chloride decreased by more than two-fold. PCR amplification detected the adeB gene in 97.5% of isolates, the adeJ gene in 100%, and the adeG gene in 95%, with 10% of isolates harbored the qacE gene, while 92.50% contained qacΔEgene.

Conclusion: This study highlights the pivotal role of efflux mechanisms in promoting resistance to antimicrobial agents among A. baumannii isolates. The emergence of resistance mediated by efflux highlights the urgent need for innovative strategies to counteract efflux transport activity in resistant strains.

Keywords

Acinetobacter baumannii; efflux mechanism; PCR

Subject Area

Microbiology

Download

Share

COinS