Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a common causative agent of nosocomial infections, characterized by rapidly evolving multidrug resistance. Large scale homologous recombination events in A. baumannii created diverse lineages and wide dissemination of the phyletic units. Surveillance studies across India will provide important information on trends in pathogen incidence and antimicrobial resistance.. Genomic Surveillance of Acinetobacter baumannii in India

Antimicrobial resistance in developing countries like India is increasing and considered to be a major health problem. Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a major nosocomial pathogen responsible for causing infections like septicemia and ventilator-associated pneumonia especially among the immuno-compromised and patients with underlying diseases and mostly in intensive care units (ICUs). Due to limited therapeutic options, treating Acinetobacter infections caused by multi-drug, extremely drug and pan drug resistant strains are difficult. Further, molecular studies on characterization of anti-microbial resistance mechanisms in A. baumannii are limited. Therefore, surveillance studies across different geographical regions are needed and provide important information on trends in pathogen incidence and antimicrobial resistance.