title: Colonization by Acinetobacter baumanii in intensive-care-unit patients.
abstract: We prospectively studied the value of systematic rectal swabs performed for the detection of colonization and the prediction of infections by Acinetobacter baumanii in 751 consecutive patients admitted to five intensive-care units (ICUs) over an 8-month period. Gastrointestinal tract colonization was found in 8.7% of ICU admissions. The positive and negative predictive values of rectal swabs for the detection of subsequent infection were 17% and 99%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 55% and 93%, respectively. We also determined the comparative values of rectal or nasal swabs and skin cultures for the detection of A baumanii colonization in 25 patients already colonized or infected with A baumanii. The combination of rectal and nasal swabs was positive in 20 (80%) of 25. The results of the present study suggest that detection of gastrointestinal tract A baumanii colonization is not an accurate predictor of subsequent A baumanii infection and that combined rectal and nasal swabs might be used for the detection of A baumanii colonization in ICU patients.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lortholary
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Fagon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buu Hoi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mahieu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gutmann
mesh_terms: D000150:Acinetobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000151:Acinetobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity