Aerosolization of Acinetobacter baumannii in a Trauma ICU*

OBJECTIVE: To establish the presence of air contamination with Acinetobacter baumannii in the trauma ICU. DESIGN: Point prevalence microbiological surveillances. SETTINGS: A 1,500-bed public teaching hospital in the Miami metro area. PATIENTS: Trauma ICU patients. MEASUREMENTS: Pulsed field electrophoresis was performed on environmental and clinical isolates to determine the association of any isolates from the air with clinical isolates. MAIN RESULTS: Out of 53 patient areas cultured, 12 (22.6%) had their air positive for A. baumannii. The presence of an A. baumannii-positive patient (underneath the plate) was associated with positive air cultures for A. baumannii (11 of 21 [52.4%] vs 0 of 25 [0%]; p < 0.0001). However, we were not able to find differences in air contamination based on the presence of A. baumannii in respiratory secretions versus absence (p = 1.0). Air and clinical isolates were found to be clonally related. CONCLUSIONS: Aerosolization of A. baumannii in the ICUs is a concern, and its role in the transmission of this organism among patients should be further clarified.