Elucidation of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) harboured by extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and pan-drug resistant (PDR) strains using the Acinetobacter baumannii PCR-based replicon typing (AB-PBRT) scheme

The research focused on elucidating mobile genetic elements harboured by extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and pan-drug-resistant (PDR) Acinetobacter baumannii isolates circulating in South African healthcare settings. The study used the Acinetobacter baumannii PCR-based replicon typing (AB-PBRT) technique to characterise plasmids and whole genome sequencing [Illumina HiSeq] to compare chromosomal versus MGE carriage of resistance determinants.