An Outbreak Due to MultiresistantAcinetobacter baumanniiin a Burn Unit: Risk Factors for Acquisition and Management

Abstract

Acquisition of multiresistant A. baumannii was likely multifactorial, related to environmental contamination and contact with transiently colonized healthcare providers. Control measures addressing these potential sources of multiresistant A. baumannii were successful in terminating the outbreak. Ongoing surveillance and continued attention to hand hygiene and adequate environmental cleaning are essential to prevent recurrent outbreaks due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in burn units.

Clonal comparison of Acinetobacter strains isolated from intensive care patients and the intensive care unit environment

“…Additionally, they frequently colonize the skin of both patients and hospital staff. These areas are also important reservoirs for cross-contamination of patients (11)(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

The Ecology, Biology and Pathogenesis of Acinetobacter spp.: An Overview

“…Laboratories should embark on active surveillance to detect cultures and patients who are colonized with multidrugresistant Acinetobacter as well as a community-based surveillance to determine carriage rates. Other measures successful in the control of outbreaks include isolation precautions for infected or colonized patients, cohorting of patients, patients' relatives and staff, environmental disinfection, antimicrobial control, and unit closure (105,118). Investigations for novel antibiotic substances with possible activity against Acinetobacter spp.…”

Antimicrobial resistance in hospitals: How concerned should we be?

“…57 Multidrug-resistant A. baumannii is identified infrequently in Canadian hospitals, although an outbreak was reported in a burn unit of a tertiary care hospital in Toronto. 58 Nosocomial outbreaks due to multidrug-resistant A. baumannii that originated with injured military personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq have recently been reported in the United States and the United Kingdom. 59 Similarly, a number of injured Canadian soldiers returning from active duty in Afghanistan have received treatment for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter respiratory and wound infections in Canadian hospitals.…”