RESUMEN
Background: The rising incidence .of acinetobacter infection in the intensive care units [1CUs] causes a great concern to all clinicians worldwide. Acinetobacter species have an extraordinary ability to develop resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, which limit array of the therapeutic options. Objective is to determine the prevalence of acinetobacter infection in ICUs of Kasr EL-Aini Hospital, its demographic features, speciation and antibiotic sensitivity pattern
Methods: 166 specimens, collected from 140 infected patients in ICUs, were subjected to direct microscopic examination and culture on blood, MacConkey and Herellea media. Microbact 12A [12E] Gram-negative identification system was used. Susceptibility patterns were done by Modified Kirby Bauer disc-diffusion methods
Results: 30/140 infected patients [21.4 %] were found to be infected with acinetobacter spp. Acinetobacter was responsible for 26.3% of LRTls, 20% of wound infections and 16.2% of UTls. A. baumannii was the most predominant species [93.3%]. Prolonged stay in ICU [p=0.03] and stroke [p=0.005] were significantly associated with acinetobacter infections. The most effective antibiotics were cefoperazone/sulbactam [40%], imipenem [36.7%] and amikaein [30%]
Conclusion: 21.4% of the studied patients suffered from acinetobacter infections. Invasive procedures, prolonged stay in ICU as well as previous antibiotic treatment are associated with higher rate of infection. Eradication of acinetobacter spp. requires adherence to good infection control practices and prudent antibiotic use