Title: Genetic diversity of A.baumannii sequence types isolated from VAP patients: A retrospective study from a tertiary care hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Authors: Asmabanu Mahammed Hanif Shaikh, Anant Prabhakar Marathe, Bhavita Thakorbhai Prajapati, Shital Sangani

DOI: 10.18231/j.ijmmtd.12056.1761566877

Keywords: A.baumannii , Sequence Type, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

Abstract: Introduction- A.baumannii is a Gram-negative, lactose-nonfermenting, oxidase-negative nosocomial pathogen. A.baumannii is one of the pathogens in the ESKAPE group associated with global health threats. Presence of various virulence factors and the spectrum of diseases caused, varies depends on the strains of A.baumannii in particular geographical location. The aim of this study was to explore the distribution of sequence types (STs) among A.baumannii isolates from our tertiary care hospital, their epidemiological significance, and relationship with global trends. Material and methods- A total of 59 MDRAB isolates, obtained from blood and respiratory samples of VAP patients, were included in the study. The isolates were identified using VITEK2 and MALDI-TOF MS, and further confirmed by WGS.MLST was performed on the isolates using a bioinformatics tool to determine their sequence types. Result- Out of 59 isolates of A.baumannii , ST2 was found in 33 (55.9%), ST10 in 21 (35.6%), and ST10*, ST25, ST525, ST575 and an unknown ST were found in single isolates. Conclusion- Our findings indicate that ST2 and ST10 sequence types are predominant in A.baumannii in our ICUs.