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Quantification, Viability Assessment, and Visualization Strategies for Acinetobacter Biofilms
07:41

Quantification, Viability Assessment, and Visualization Strategies for Acinetobacter Biofilms

Published on: August 4, 2023

Aerosolization of Acinetobacter baumannii in a trauma ICU*

L Silvia Munoz-Price1, Yovanit Fajardo-Aquino, Kristopher L Arheart

  • 1Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.

Critical Care Medicine
|June 21, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Air contamination with Acinetobacter baumannii was detected in 22.6% of trauma ICU patient areas. This finding highlights a potential transmission route for this multidrug-resistant organism in critical care settings.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Environmental Microbiology

Background:

  • Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs).
  • Understanding the environmental reservoirs and transmission routes of A. baumannii is crucial for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of airborne Acinetobacter baumannii contamination within a trauma intensive care unit (ICU).
  • To investigate the association between patient colonization and airborne A. baumannii presence.
  • To assess the clonal relationship between environmental and clinical isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Point prevalence microbiological surveillance was conducted in a 1,500-bed public teaching hospital.
  • Air samples were collected from patient areas within the trauma ICU.
  • Pulsed field electrophoresis (PFE) was used to compare environmental and clinical A. baumannii isolates.

Main Results:

  • Acinetobacter baumannii was detected in the air of 12 out of 53 (22.6%) patient areas.
  • Positive air cultures for A. baumannii were significantly associated with the presence of an A. baumannii-positive patient in the area (52.4% vs 0%, p < 0.0001).
  • Airborne and clinical isolates of A. baumannii were found to be clonally related, suggesting a common source.

Conclusions:

  • Acinetobacter baumannii can be aerosolized within the ICU environment.
  • The presence of contaminated air raises concerns about potential transmission among patients.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the role of airborne A. baumannii in patient-to-patient transmission.

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