The Phylogency (Evolutionary Relationship) and Antibiogram of Acinetobacter baunmanni Isolated from Tertiary Health Institutions in Rivers State Nigeria

The increasing rate of Acinetobacter baumannii in recent time as a major pathogen associated with hospital acquired infections is burdensome. This has resulted to significant morbidity and mortality predominantly among the immunocompromised patients, prolonged hospitalization with increased cost. The global burden of Acinetobacter baumannii infections is still unclear as a result of inadequate comprehensive data particularly in developing countries such as the case in Africa. There are inadequate extensive works on the phylogency of Acinetobacter baumannii and the region of this study is not well represented. The cross-sectional hospital based study investigated the phylogency (evolutionary relationship) and antibiogram of Acinetobacter baunmanni isolated from Tertiary Health Institutions in Rivers State, Nigeria. Study included individuals within the study coverage and those outside the selected facilities were excluded. Ethical approval and informed written consent was obtained. Both primary and secondary data were used. Isolation and identification involved culturing, biochemical and molecular assay; were conducted sequentially. Statistical Package for Social Science version 21 was used to perform descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The study has proved the concept about the phylogency (evolutionary relationship) between Acinetobacter baumanii with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter pneumonia. Antibiogram based on the minimum zone of inhibition CPX had the highest mean±SD 24.222±1.7845 whereas, CXM recorded least 6.478±7.7092. Cephalosporin and Tetracycline class of drugs appear to be more resistant while Fluoroquinolone, and Amioglycoside are sensitive. The researcher recommends strict antibiotic surveillance and prevention as well as control measures. Also, supplementary study involving molecular assay with large sample size is recommended and extensive study of the virulence genes.