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Published on: November 2, 2021
Assessing the burden of Acinetobacter baumannii in Maryland: a statewide cross-sectional period prevalence survey
Kerri A Thom1, Lisa L Maragakis, Katie Richards
1University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. kthom@epi.umaryland.edu
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii, an important healthcare-associated pathogen, among mechanically ventilated patients in Maryland.
Design:
The Maryland MDRO Prevention Collaborative performed a statewide cross-sectional active surveillance survey of mechanically ventilated patients residing in acute care and long-term care (LTC) facilities. Surveillance cultures (sputum and perianal) were obtained from all mechanically ventilated inpatients at participating facilities during a 2-week period.
Setting:
All healthcare facilities in Maryland that provide care for mechanically ventilated patients were invited to participate.
Patients:
Mechanically ventilated patients, known to be at high risk for colonization and infection with A. baumannii, were included.
Results:
Seventy percent (40/57) of all eligible healthcare facilities participated in the survey, representing both acute care ([Formula: see text]) and LTC ([Formula: see text]) facilities in all geographic regions of Maryland. Surveillance cultures were obtained from 92% (358/390) of eligible patients. A. baumannii was identified in 34% of all mechanically ventilated patients in Maryland; multidrug-resistant A. baumannii was found in 27% of all patients. A. baumannii was detected in at least 1 patient in 49% of participating facilities; 100% of LTC facilities had at least 1 patient with A. baumannii, compared with 31% of acute care facilities. A. baumannii was identified from all facilities in which 10 or more patients were sampled.
Conclusions:
A. baumannii is common among mechanically ventilated patients in both acute care and LTC facilities throughout Maryland, with a high proportion of isolates demonstrating multidrug resistance.
Insights
Acinetobacter baumannii is common in Maryland
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant cause of healthcare-associated infections.
- Mechanically ventilated patients are at high risk for colonization and infection with A. baumannii.
- Understanding the prevalence of A. baumannii in this population is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii among mechanically ventilated patients in Maryland.
- To assess the proportion of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolates.
- To identify facility types with higher prevalence.
Main Methods:
- A statewide cross-sectional active surveillance survey was conducted.
- Surveillance cultures (sputum and perianal) were obtained from mechanically ventilated inpatients.
- Data were collected from acute care and long-term care (LTC) facilities across Maryland.
Main Results:
- Acinetobacter baumannii was identified in 34% of mechanically ventilated patients.
- Multidrug-resistant A. baumannii was found in 27% of patients.
- A. baumannii was detected in 49% of participating facilities, with 100% of LTC facilities positive.
Conclusions:
- Acinetobacter baumannii is prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients in Maryland.
- A high proportion of these isolates exhibit multidrug resistance.
- Both acute care and LTC facilities harbor this pathogen, highlighting the need for comprehensive surveillance and control.
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