Characterization of multiresistant acinetobacter baumannii strain causing a large and sustained hospital outbreak in ICU

ABSTRACT

Thirty two Acinetobacter baumanni samples isolated from patients and the environment in an intensive care unit [ICU] during an outbreak investigation were tested for antimicrobial resistance and typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Three pulsed-field patterns were observed. Twenty four isolates showed identical pulsed-field pattern. Seven isolates showed same but different pattern and a third pattern was showed by the remaining isolate. The results suggested that Acinetobacter baumanni clone had contaminated the environment and spread among patients. This study demonstrates the application of infection control surveillance combined with strain typing in detecting Acinetobacter baumanni colonization in the ICU where it was not known to exist