Acinetobacter species are aerobic Gram variable coccobacilli that are now emerging as an  important nosocomial pathogen. Infections caused by them are difficult to control due to multidrug resistance. The purpose of this study was to detect virulence factors namely gelatinase production, biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility of Acinetobacter species. Two hundred fifty six clinical samples collected from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical University (BSMMU) and from burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital were included in the study. Gelatinase production was seen on Luria Bertani agar media containing gelatin (30 gm/l) and biofilm formation was detected in microtiter plate assay. Out of 256 clinical samples, 52 (20.3%) were Acinetobacter species. Out of 52 Acinetobacter isolates, none were gelatinase producer but 39 (75%) were found biofilm producers. Acinetobacter isolates were 100% resistant to ceftazidime, cefotaxime cefuroxime and ceftriaxone. High level of resistance was also recorded for amoxicillin (98.1%), aztreonam (98.1%), gentamicin (90.4%), ciprofloxacin (73.1%), amikacin (57.6%), netilmicin (53.8%) and imipenem (44.2%). Susceptibility to colistin was maximum (96.2%). The present study demonstrated a high propensity of biofilm formation by the clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species and most of the Acinetobacter  were multidrug resistant.

Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2012; 6(1): 27-30

Key words: Acinetobacter, biofilm, gelatinase

Address for Correspondence:Dr. Azizun Nahar, Senior lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Bangladesh Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.  E mail: [email protected]