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 blaoxa-48, blaoxa-23 and blandm. 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 blaoxa-23, 744 bp for blaoxa-48 and 623 bp for blandm 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.