Endemic Acinetobacter baumannii in a New York hospital.

TitleEndemic Acinetobacter baumannii in a New York hospital.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsWeisenberg SA, Schuetz AN, Alexander EL, Alexander EA, Eiss B, Behta M, Saiman L, Larone DH, Jenkins SG, Rhee KY
JournalPLoS One
Volume6
Issue12
Paginatione28566
Date Published2011
ISSN1932-6203
KeywordsAcinetobacter baumannii, Acinetobacter Infections, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Cross Infection, Endemic Diseases, Hospitals, Humans, Integrons, Metabolome, Molecular Epidemiology, New York City
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii is an increasingly multidrug-resistant (MDR) cause of hospital-acquired infections, often associated with limited therapeutic options. We investigated A. baumannii isolates at a New York hospital to characterize genetic relatedness.

METHODS: Thirty A. baumannii isolates from geographically-dispersed nursing units within the hospital were studied. Isolate relatedness was assessed by repetitive sequence polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR). The presence and characteristics of integrons were assessed by PCR. Metabolomic profiles of a subset of a prevalent strain isolates and sporadic isolates were characterized and compared.

RESULTS: We detected a hospital-wide group of closely related carbapenem resistant MDR A. baumannii isolates. Compared with sporadic isolates, the prevalent strain isolates were more likely to be MDR (pā€Š=ā€Š0.001). Isolates from the prevalent strain carried a novel Class I integron sequence. Metabolomic profiles of selected prevalent strain isolates and sporadic isolates were similar.

CONCLUSION: The A. baumannii population at our hospital represents a prevalent strain of related MDR isolates that contain a novel integron cassette. Prevalent strain and sporadic isolates did not segregate by metabolomic profiles. Further study of environmental, host, and bacterial factors associated with the persistence of prevalent endemic A. baumannii strains is needed to develop effective prevention strategies.

DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0028566
Alternate JournalPLoS One
PubMed ID22180786
PubMed Central IDPMC3236744
Grant ListKL2 RR024997 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
KL2RR024997 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States