Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii From Cat Conjunctivitis in Baghdad Province, Iraq

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging opportunistic pathogen implicated in various infections in both animals and humans. Its role in feline ocular infections, particularly conjunctivitis, has not been extensively studied, especially in Iraq.Objectives: This study aimed to isolate and characterize A. baumannii from conjunctival swabs of cats with conjunctivitis in Baghdad Province, Iraq, and to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Methods: From November ۲۰۲۴ to March ۲۰۲۵, conjunctival swabs were collected from clinically infected cats presented to veterinary clinics specializing in pet care. Samples were cultured on HiCrome™ Acinetobacter Agar (M۱۹۳۸) supplemented with MDR selective supplement vials (FD۲۷۱) for selective and differential isolation. Additional culturing was done on MacConkey and blood agar. Preliminary identification was performed using standard biochemical tests and confirmed using the VITEK ۲ system. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested, and molecular confirmation was performed on selected multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the ۱۶S rRNA and blaOXA-۵۱-like genes.Results: Out of ۱۰۰ conjunctival swab samples, ۵(۵%) yielded positive results for A. baumannii. Among them, two isolates exhibited higher resistance to commonly used antibiotics and were further confirmed by molecular detection methods.Conclusion: This study reports the isolation and characterization of A. baumannii from feline conjunctivitis cases for the first time in Iraq. The findings highlight the presence of MDR strains in companion animals and emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practice.

کلیدواژه ها:

Acinetobacter baumannii ، Conjunctivitis ، Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) ، ۱۶S rRNA ، blaOXA-۵۱-like ، antimicrobial resistance