title: Environmental contamination because of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii surrounding colonized or infected patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) is an important nosocomial pathogen associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective cohort study of intensive care unit patients colonized or infected with MDR-AB at a tertiary care hospital from October 2008 to January 2009. For each patient, 10 surfaces in the patient room were sampled and evaluated for the presence of A baumannii. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed on all environmental isolates and a clinical isolate if available.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty rooms were sampled; 48% (24/50) were positive at 1 or more environmental sites. Supply carts (10/50, 20%), floors (8/50, 16%), infusion pumps (7/50, 14%), and ventilator touch pads (5/44, 11.4%) were most commonly contaminated. Patients with a recent history of MDR-AB were no more likely to contaminate their environment than patients with a remote history (51% vs 36%, respectively, P value = .50). In 85% (17/20) of cases, the environmental isolate was classified as genetically similar to the patient isolate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For patients with MDR-AB, the surrounding environment is frequently contaminated, even among patients with a remote history of MDR-AB. Surfaces often touched by health care workers during routine patient care are commonly contaminated and may be a source of nosocomial spread.
authors: University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. kthom@epi.umaryland.edu
authors: Kerri A
authors: KA
authors: Thom
authors: J Kristie
authors: JK
authors: Johnson
authors: Mary S
authors: MS
authors: Lee
authors: Anthony D
authors: AD
authors: Harris
mesh_terms: D000151:Acinetobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D058889:Molecular Typing; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents