Acinetobacter baumannii infections in a South African paediatric intensive care unit

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare characteristics and outcomes of patients colonized or infected with Acinetobacter baumannii (cases) to a control group. METHODS: A retrospective case-controlled study of patients admitted to a South African paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between January and December 2010. RESULTS: Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated in 194 patients. Mortality was similar between cases (9.3%) and controls (9.8%). Median duration of PICU stay and mechanical ventilation in cases vs. controls was 10 vs. 2 (p < 0.0001) and 9 vs. 1 days (p < 0.0001), respectively. Admission diagnosis of traumatic brain injury [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 5.6, 95% CI: 1.2-27.0; p = 0.03] and duration of mechanical ventilation (adjusted OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.3-1.5; p < 0.0001) were independently associated with A. baumannii aquisition. CONCLUSION: Acinetobacter baumannii acquisition was common and associated with increased morbidity, but not increased mortality.