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Published on: March 17, 2014
Persistent nasal carriers of Acinetobacter baumannii in long-term-care facilities
Ming-Li Liou1, Kuan-Hsueh Chen2, Hui-Ling Yeh1
1Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Yuanpei University, Hsin-Chu City, Taiwan.
Background:
Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus have persisted as 2 major pathogens worldwide.
Aim:
We designed a prevalence study to investigate the prevalence of nasal carriage of S aureus and A baumannii in long-term-care facilities (LCTFs) and their collaborative community hospitals. In addition, we aimed to clarify persistent or nonpersistent carriage of the 2 organisms among residents of LTCFs.
Methods:
We performed a prevalence study concerning nasal carriers of A baumannii and S aureus in 3 LTCFs and 1 collaborative community hospital.
Results:
Seventy subjects were enrolled and clustered into 3 groups: the elderly sick group (n = 24), the elderly healthy group (n = 33), and the healthy health care worker group (n = 13). Nasal samples were collected, and the nuc and mecA genes of S aureus and the blaOXA gene of A baumannii were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Among the 3 groups, the rate of nasal carriage of S aureus was approximately 0%-15%. However, the rate for A baumannii was approximately 54%-92%. Notably, the persistent carrier rate of A baumannii in the elderly sick group was 83.3% (20 out of 24) despite a 12.5% (3 out of 24) rate of carbapenem-resistant A baumannii.
Conclusions:
We emphasized that the persistent nasal carriage of A baumannii in LTCFs could be another portal of exit to cause A baumannii infection in Taiwan.
Insights
Persistent nasal carriage of Acinetobacter baumannii is high in long-term-care facilities (LTCFs), particularly among the elderly sick. This highlights a potential pathway for A. baumannii infections originating from LTCFs.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus are significant global pathogens.
- Long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) are critical environments for pathogen transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of nasal carriage of S. aureus and A. baumannii in LTCFs and associated hospitals.
- To assess persistent carriage of these bacteria among LTCF residents.
Main Methods:
- A prevalence study was conducted in three LTCFs and one community hospital.
- Nasal samples were collected from elderly sick, elderly healthy, and healthy healthcare worker groups.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect specific genes (nuc, mecA for S. aureus; blaOXA for A. baumannii).
Main Results:
- S. aureus nasal carriage ranged from 0% to 15% across groups.
- A. baumannii nasal carriage was significantly higher, ranging from 54% to 92%.
- The elderly sick group showed an 83.3% persistent A. baumannii carriage rate, with 12.5% carrying carbapenem-resistant strains.
Conclusions:
- Persistent nasal carriage of A. baumannii in LTCFs is a major concern.
- This carriage acts as a potential source for A. baumannii infections.
- Findings emphasize the need for infection control strategies in LTCFs to mitigate A. baumannii spread.
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