Risk factors for hospital infections caused by carbapanem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of major causative agents of severe, life-threatening hospital infections (HIs), especially in intensive care units (ICUs). Our aim was to discover the risk factors associated with the emergence of HIs caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), as well as those associated with death in patients who suffer from such infections.

A prospective cohort study was conducted over a five-year period in the medical-surgical ICU of the Clinical Centre in Kragujevac, Serbia. The study group comprised patients who had HIs caused by CRAB, while the control group comprised patients infected with carbapenem-sensitive Acinetobacter baumannii.

In total, 137 patients developed HIs caused by Acinetobacter baumannii. The mean age of the patients was 59.65 ± 16.08 years, and 99 (72.26%) of them were males. In 95 patients (69.35%), the infection was caused by CRAB. There were six independent risk factors for CRAB infections: use of mechanical ventilation, previous stay in another department, stay in ICU for more than a month, and previous use of carbapenems, aminoglycosides, and metronidazole. Three independent risk factors were found for death in patients with HIs caused by CRAB: use of mechanical ventilation, previous stay in another department, and previous use of carbapenems.

The results of this study can be helpful when identifying patients with risk of HIs caused by CRAB and in planning preventive measures. Modification of known risk factors and appropriate institutional policy of antibiotic utilization are important measures that may decrease the incidence and mortality of such infections.