Identification of blaGIM-1 in Acinetobacter variabilis isolated from the hospital environment in Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Emergence of carbapenem resistance mechanisms among Gram-negative bacteria is a worrisome health problem. Here, we focused on to identify the presence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria among the samples collected from hospital environments in Tamil Nadu. Methods: A total of 30 hospital environmental samples were collected between August 2017 and January 2018 from hospitals located in Chennai and Vellore such as lift switches, stair rails, switchboards, nursing desks, used nursing gloves, door handles, wheelchairs, touch screens, chairs and from pillars inside the hospitals. Results and discussion: A total of 22 carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria were isolated that included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter sp., Salmonella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter sp. Interestingly, blaGIM-1 was detected in Acinetobacter variabilis strain isolated in samples collected from hospitals. Unlike other studies, the identified GIM-1 was not plasmid encoded, and this is the first report for the presence of GIM-1 (German imipenemase) in India. Conclusion: Extensive surveillance programs are necessary to trace the uncontrolled spread of carbapenem-resistance genes in order to reduce the rapid spread of resistance.