Molecular basis of carbapenem and colistin resistance and phoQ mutation-mediated colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii from Bangladesh

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is a serious threat to patient health worldwide because it can resist many of the strongest available antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat. This study identifies the genes that allow these bacteria to survive last-resort drugs such as carbapenems and colistin in hospitals in Chattogram, Bangladesh. By pinpointing the common carbapenem-resistance gene (blaNDM-1) and colistin-resistance mutations (phoQ), the research shows how these bacteria evade treatment and highlights the risk of their spread in healthcare settings. Understanding these resistance mechanisms helps doctors choose effective therapies and informs hospital policies to prevent outbreaks. The findings underscore the urgent need for ongoing monitoring of antibiotic resistance and stronger stewardship of antibiotic use to protect patients and curb the rise of these dangerous “superbugs.”