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A multi-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak in a general intensive care unit
Stamatina Levidiotou1, Emmanouil Galanakis, Georgia Vrioni
1Microbiology Department, Medical School, University of Ioannina, POB 1186, 45, 110, Ioannina, Greece. sleveidi@cc.uoi.gr
Abstract:
In an Intensive Care Unit, three patients were found infected and two colonized with multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii within a period of one week. To identify the outbreak source, two surveillance studies were performed concerning patients and the environment. Genotyping of isolates was performed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis (RAPD). Environmental sampling failed to yield A. baumannii, with the exception of a single sample from a trunking. RAPD-fingerprinting yielded identical patterns for all patient isolates including the trunking isolate, thus confirming the suspected cluster. Since the strain from the trunking had a susceptibility pattern and a RAPD pattern identical to that of the strains isolated from the patients, we believe that this was the likely source of the outbreak. In conclusion, A. baumannii outbreaks may be quickly controlled by appropriate action of the hospital infection staff. RAPD-fingerprinting may provide a useful and rapid identification technique for the epidemiological investigation of a hospital outbreak.
Insights
A hospital outbreak of multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii was rapidly controlled. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis identified a trunking as the likely source, enabling swift intervention.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii poses a significant threat in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
- Rapid identification of outbreak sources is crucial for effective infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and identify the source of a multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak in an ICU.
- To evaluate the utility of Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis in outbreak investigations.
Main Methods:
- Conducted patient and environmental surveillance studies.
- Utilized Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) for genotyping bacterial isolates.
- Performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Main Results:
- Identified five cases (three infected, two colonized) of multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii within one week.
- RAPD analysis revealed identical genetic patterns among patient isolates and one environmental isolate from a trunking.
- The trunking isolate exhibited the same susceptibility pattern as patient isolates, suggesting it as the outbreak source.
Conclusions:
- Acinetobacter baumannii outbreaks can be effectively managed with prompt hospital infection control measures.
- RAPD-fingerprinting is a valuable and rapid tool for epidemiological investigations of hospital-acquired infections.