Development of multiplex PCR for rapid detection of metallo-β-lactamase genes in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acinetobacter baumannii has been known as a major pathogen causing nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to develop multiplex PCR for rapid and simultaneous detection of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes in clinical isolates of A. baumannii. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we used three sets of primers to amplify the MBL genes including bla( OXA-48 ) , bla( OXA-23 ) and bla( NDM ) . The multiplex PCR assay was optimized for rapid and simultaneous detection of MBL genes in A. baumannii strains recovered from clinical samples. RESULTS: A. baumannii strains recovered from clinical samples were subjected to the study. The multiplex PCR produced 3 bands of 501 bp for bla( OXA-23 ) , 744 bp for bla( OXA-48 ) and 623 bp for bla( NDM ) genes. In addition to, no any cross-reactivity was observed in multiplex PCR. CONCLUSION: Based on obtained data, the multiplex PCR had a good specificity without any cross reactivity and it appears that the multiplex PCR is reliable assay for simultaneous detection of MBL genes in A. baumannii strains.