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Dust-driven transmission of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii during replacing bed linens: a hidden

Li Wei1, Yu Feng1, Lin Cai1

  • 1West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|June 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Changing bed linens in intensive care units can spread airborne carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. This dust-driven transmission highlights a hidden route requiring new strategies to combat multidrug-resistant organisms.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Intensive care units (ICUs) commonly replace soiled bed linens.
  • Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) pose significant threats in healthcare settings.
  • Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a critical pathogen in ICUs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for airborne transmission of CRAB during bed linen changes in ICUs.
  • To identify novel transmission routes for healthcare-associated infections.

Main Methods:

  • Air sampling was conducted in ICU patient rooms during bed linen replacement.
  • Genome-based analysis was used to track CRAB strains.
  • Correlation between dust and airborne CRAB was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Dust-driven transmission of CRAB was identified and correlated with bed linen changes.
  • Airborne CRAB was detected following linen replacement activities.
  • Genomic data confirmed the link between linen handling and airborne CRAB.

Conclusions:

  • Bed linen changes represent a significant, previously unrecognized airborne transmission route for CRAB in ICUs.
  • Effective infection control strategies must address this hidden airborne pathway.
  • Further research is needed to develop targeted countermeasures against MDROs via this route.

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