A highly antibiotic-resistant strain of Acinetobacter baumannii, known for causing severe hospital-acquired infections, has been identified spreading within a major Malaysian hospital, raising serious global public health concerns, according to a new international study published in Microbial Genomics.
Researchers analyzing data from a decade-long surveillance program at the main tertiary hospital in Terengganu found that the vast majority of infections were caused by Global Clone 2 (GC2) — the most clinically significant and globally prevalent strain of A. baumannii.
Between 2011 and 2020, 126 bacterial samples were collected and examined. The study revealed alarming levels of multidrug resistance, particularly against carbapenems — a class of last-resort antibiotics typically used to treat A. baumannii infections. Notably, 97% of the samples were found to carry plasmids, small DNA structures that accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Scientists Call for Immediate Action
“This dangerous bacterial family continues to spread in hospitals worldwide,” said Dr. David Cleary from the University of Birmingham, a co-author of the study. “Yet there is a glaring lack of data from many low- and middle-income countries. Without proper surveillance and tools, we’re essentially flying blind.”
Dr. Cleary stressed the urgent need for enhanced global surveillance systems and the development of effective treatment protocols to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii. “The dominance of GC2 and the high level of carbapenem resistance present a major threat to global health,” he added.
Malaysian Researchers Highlight the Power of Collaboration
Lead investigator Prof. Chew Chieng Yeo of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) emphasized the importance of global cooperation in addressing antimicrobial resistance. “Our research underscores the need for international collaboration, especially in regions where data is scarce. Together, we can tackle the rising tide of antibiotic-resistant pathogens,” he said.
A. baumannii is a notorious hospital-acquired pathogen that can cause infections in the blood, lungs, urinary tract, and wounds. Due to its resistance to multiple antibiotics, the World Health Organization has classified it as a critical-priority pathogen requiring urgent attention.
The study sends a stark reminder that superbugs know no borders, and fighting them requires a united, well-equipped global response.
Reference: “Whole-genome sequencing of Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from a tertiary hospital in Terengganu, Malaysia (2011–2020), revealed the predominance of the Global Clone 2 lineage Open Access” by Nurul Saidah Din, Farahiyah Mohd. Rani, Ahmed Ghazi Alattraqchi, Salwani Ismail, Nor Iza A. Rahman, David W. Cleary, Stuart C. Clarke and Chew Chieng Yeo, 5 February 2025, Microbial Genomics.
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