Modifying enzymes related aminoglycoside: analyses of resistant Acinetobacter isolates

Abstract

Enzymatic modification of aminoglycosides by nucleotidyltransferases, acetyltransferases and/or phosphotransferases accounts for the majority of aminoglycoside-resistant Acinetobacter isolates. In this study, we investigated the relationship between aminoglycoside resistance and the presence of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolate groups with different resistance profiles. Thirty-two clinical A. baumannii isolates were included in this study. Acinetobacter isolates were divided into 4 groups according to results of susceptibility testing. The presence of genes encoding the following aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes; aph (3')-V1, aph (3')-Ia, aac (3)-Ia, aac (3) IIa, aac (6')-Ih, aac (6')-Ib and ant (2')-Ia responsible for resistance was investigated by PCR in all strains. The acetyltransferase (aac (6')-Ib, aac (3)-Ia) and phosphotransferase (aph (3')-Ia) gene regions were identified in the first group, which comprised nine imipenem, meropenem, and gentamicin-resistant isolates. The acetyltransferase (aac (6')-Ib, aac (3)-Ia), phosphotransferase (aph (3')-VI) and nucleotidyltransferase (ant2-Ia) gene regions were identified in the second group, which was composed of nine imipenem-resistant, meropenem-resistant and gentamicin-sensitive isolates. The acetyltransferase (aac (3)-Ia) and phosphotransferase (aph (3')-Ia) regions were identified in the fourth group, which comprised eight imipenem-sensitive, meropenem-sensitive and gentamicin-resistant isolates. Modifying enzyme gene regions were not detected in the third group, which was composed of six imipenem, meropenem and gentamicin-sensitive isolates. Our data are consistent with previous reports, with the exception of four isolates. Both acetyltransferases and phosphotransferases were widespread in A. baumannii clinical isolates in our study. However, the presence of the enzyme alone is insufficient to explain the resistance rates. Therefore, the association between the development of resistance and the presence of the enzyme and other components should be investigated further.

Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes; resistance.