Assessment of the Antimicrobial Resistance Spectrum and Identification of Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) in Acinetobacter Baumannii From Clinical Samples in Erbil City.

Introduction: is a dangerous opportunistic pathogen responsible for a wide range of various infections, particularly in healthcare settings, affecting immunocompromised individuals. It is a significant source of nosocomial infections due to its ability to produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemase enzymes, making it a major concern for antibiotic resistance. Materials & Methods: in hospitalized individuals, a total of 250 clinical specimens were obtained cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar media. Identification of isolates was conducted using both conventional microbiological techniques and the automated VITEK 2 system. Duplicate isolates and specimens from colonization-prone sites, including throat and perianal areaswere excluded. Antimicrobial susceptibility and ESBL production were evaluated according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards. Results: in this study. The presence of ESBL genes were correlated with antibiotic resistance, particularly with cephalosporin medicines. Conclusion: -associated genes.