Investigation and control of a suspected nosocomial outbreak of pan-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an intensive care unit

Acinetobacter baumannii, a non-fermenting Gram-negative bacterium, is a common pathogen in intensive care units (ICU) that is easily spread through contact and can cause nosocomial outbreaks. This study investigated the risk factors associated with outbreaks of pan-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (PDR-Ab) infection by studying a suspected nosocomial outbreak in a comprehensive ICU in a teaching hospital in China, and discusses the effectiveness of current prevention and control measures. Pathogen detection methods involving pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were employed to survey patients infected or colonized with PDR-Ab. An epidemiological investigation was conducted to determine the risk factors for infection or colonization with PDR-Ab between 1 October 2014 and 16 January 2015. The rate of PDR-Ab infection in the ICU was higher during the period from 1 October 2014 to 16 January 2015 than it was between 1 October 2013 and 16 January 2014. Only two cases were confirmed to have the same genotype. Risk factors were explored and the rate of infection was found to be controlled by interventions targeting these risk factors. A decrease in the number of infections was observed after multiple prevention and control measures were implemented, preventing the outbreak of a nosocomial infection.