Risk factors for infection and molecular typing in patients in the intensive care unit colonized with nosocomial Enterobacter aerogenes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of colonization by Enterobacter aerogenes in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) for more than 48 hours and to evaluate the risk factors for infection in patients colonized by this bacteria.


METHODS
An 8-month prospective study.


METHODS
A 12-bed medical-surgical ICU in a 450-bed, university-affiliated, tertiary-care hospital in Belgium.


METHODS
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to determine the genotypes of E. aerogenes isolates.


RESULTS
We observed two major clones of E. aerogenes in the ICU. Interestingly, 87.5% of infected patients had the same genomic profile for colonization and infection. Risk factors for infection in this particular population included younger age, prolonged hospital stay, mechanical ventilation, and bronchoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Colonization is a major prerequisite for infection. The identification of risk factors for infection in colonized patients can optimize the quality of treatment in the ICU.
Piagnerelli
Michael
M
Department of Intensive Care, André Vésale Hospital, Montigny-le-Tilleul, Belgium.
Carlier
Eric
E
Deplano
Ariane
A
Lejeune
Philippe
P
Govaerts
Danielle
D
D000368:Aged; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D021902:Enterobacter aerogenes / Q000235:genetics*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric