Temporal Trends in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolation Rates at a Regional Hospital in Central...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Microbiology
• Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

• Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a critical nosocomial pathogen associated with high mortality, especially in intensive care units (ICUs).
• The long-term impact of the pandemic on institutional CRAB burden requires further investigation at the single-hospital level.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the persistence and trends of CRAB isolation rates at a regional teaching hospital from 2020 to 2024.
• To analyze the distribution of CRAB isolates between ICU and non-ICU settings over time.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of clinical Acinetobacter baumannii complex isolates.
• Classification of isolates as CRAB based on resistance to imipenem or meropenem.
• Analysis of annual and monthly isolation rates, and ICU vs. non-ICU distribution.

Main Results:

• Over 58% (340/582) of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were CRAB.
• Annual CRAB isolation rates significantly increased from 2020 to 2021 and remained elevated.
• CRAB proportion in ICUs peaked in 2022 but showed no significant overall trend, with wide monthly variations.

Conclusions:

• CRAB isolation rates have remained persistently high following the acute pandemic phase.
• ICUs are a key area for targeted infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship programs to combat CRAB.