Clinical and microbiological features of a cohort of patients with Acinetobacter baumannii bloodstream infections

Abstract Purpose Acinetobacter baumannii is emerging as a pathogen that is a focus of global concern due to the frequent occurrence of the strains those are extensively resistant to antibiotics. This study was aimed to analyze the clinical and microbiological characteristics of a cohort of patients with A. baumannii bloodstream infections (BSIs) in western China. Methods A retrospective study of the patients at West China Hospital of Sichuan University with A. baumannii BSIs between Jan, 2018 and May, 2023 was conducted. Antimicrobial susceptibility of A. baumannii isolates was tested by microdilution broth method. Whole-genome sequencing and genetic analysis were also performed for these isolates. Results Among the 117 patients included, longer intensive care unit stay, higher mortality, and more frequent invasive procedures and use of more than 3 classes of antibiotics were observed among the carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB)-infected group ( n = 76), compared to the carbapenem-susceptible A. baumannii (CSAB)-infected group ( n = 41, all P ≤ 0.001). Twenty-four sequence types (STs) were determined for the 117 isolates, and 98.7% (75/76) of CRAB were identified as ST2. Compared to non-ST2 isolates, ST2 isolates exhibited higher antibiotic resistance, and carried more resistance and virulence genes ( P < 0.05). In addition, 80 (68.4%) isolates were CRISPR-positive, showed higher antibiotic susceptibility, and harbored less resistance and virulence genes, in comparison to CRISPR-negative ones ( P < 0.05). Phylogenetic clustering based on coregenome SNPs indicated a sporadic occurrence of clonal transmission. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate a high frequency of ST2 among A. baumannii causing BSIs, and high antibiotic susceptibility of non-ST2 and CRISPR-positive isolates. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of this pathogen.