ASSOCIATION OF CARBAPENEMASES AND ABAI GENE IN BIOFILM-PRODUCING AND NON-BIOFILM PRODUCING ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII CLINICAL ISOLATES TO EXPRESS CARBAPENEM RESISTANCE

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii has become an important pathogen, with biofilm-producing strains increasingly showing resistance to multiple drugs. The rise in carbapenem resistance complicates treatment, as carbapenemases can neutralize these antibiotics. Additionally, the AbaI gene (Autoinducer synthase) is associated with quorum-sensing signals and biofilm production, contributing to drug resistance. This study aimed to explore the relationship between carbapenemases and the abaI gene in carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, focusing on both biofilm-producing and non-biofilm-producing isolates. We collected 190 clinical isolates, dividing them into 158 biofilm producers and 32 non-biofilm producers. Among the biofilm producers, 115 were resistant to carbapenems, with 105 identified as producing both carbapenemases and the abaI gene. In the non-biofilm producers, 14 were carbapenem-resistant, with 12 being carbapenemase producers. Further PCR testing revealed that 105 biofilm producers were positive for the abaI gene and carbapenemase production, while 6 non-biofilm producers also tested positive. The results indicated a significant association between carbapenemase production and the abaI gene in carbapenem-resistant biofilm-producing isolates (P = 0.0001).