Aerosolization of Acinetobacter baumannii in a trauma ICU

L. Silvia Munoz-Price, Yovanit Fajardo-Aquino, Kristopher L. Arheart, Timothy Cleary, Dennise DePascale, Louis Pizano, Nicholas Namias, Jesabel I. Rivera, Jessica A. O'Hara, Yohei Doi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To establish the presence of air contamination with Acinetobacter baumannii in the trauma ICU. Design: Point prevalence microbiological surveillances. Settings: A 1,500-bed public teaching hospital in the Miami metro area. Patients: Trauma ICU patients. Measurements: Pulsed field electrophoresis was performed on environmental and clinical isolates to determine the association of any isolates from the air with clinical isolates. MAIN Results: Out of 53 patient areas cultured, 12 (22.6%) had their air positive for A. baumannii. The presence of an A. baumannii-positive patient (underneath the plate) was associated with positive air cultures for A. baumannii (11 of 21 [52.4%] vs 0 of 25 [0%]; p < 0.0001). However, we were not able to find differences in air contamination based on the presence of A. baumannii in respiratory secretions versus absence (p = 1.0). Air and clinical isolates were found to be clonally related. Conclusions: Aerosolization of A. baumannii in the ICUs is a concern, and its role in the transmission of this organism among patients should be further clarified.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1915-1918
Number of pages4
JournalCritical Care Medicine
Volume41
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 08-2013
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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