Epidemiology of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in New Zealand

Matthew R. Blakiston, Mark B. Schultz, Indira Basu, Susan A. Ballard, Deborah Williamson, Sally Roberts

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

AIM: Carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii have limited treatment options and a propensity to cause hospital outbreaks. In recent years an increase in their detection has been observed in New Zealand. This study aimed to describe the molecular epidemiology of these isolates. METHOD: This study utilised carbapenem resistant A. baumannii complex isolates identified across New Zealand between January 2010 to April 2018. Whole genome sequence analysis and associated demographic information was used to contextualise local isolates within the global epidemiology and establish the relationship between isolates. RESULTS: Thirty-three carbapenem resistant A. baumannii complex isolates (31 A. baumannii sensu stricto) were identified. Twenty-four (73%) were from January 2015 onwards. Twenty-four (73%) had an identifiable epidemiological link to overseas hospitalisation. Twenty-three (74%) of 31 A. baumannii sensu stricto were sequence type (ST) 2 (Pasteur scheme). Phylogenetic analysis identified three ST2 clusters. The largest cluster, of 12 isolates, was from 2015 onwards; with nine (75%) associated with recent hospitalisation in Fiji or Samoa. CONCLUSION: Increasing numbers of carbapenem resistant A. baumannii are being identified in New Zealand. Our data show that this is in large part associated with transnational spread of a single A. baumannii sensu stricto ST 2 strain between Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)76-82
Number of pages7
JournalThe New Zealand medical journal
Volume135
Issue number1561
Publication statusPublished - 2 Sept 2022
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© PMA.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Epidemiology of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in New Zealand'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this