A surge in healthcare-associated infections, primarily traced back to Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii, came to light during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A particular increase was observed in intensive care units (ICUs). The facilitators promoting the spread of A. baumannii included infected surfaces or patients, and notably, via healthcare workers’ hands.
Consequently, a comprehensive study was conducted analyzing the emergence and spread of MDR A. baumannii clusters in ICUs at the Umberto I teaching hospital in Rome, Italy, from 2020 to 2022. The study leveraged pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to understand the genetic relatedness among the A. baumannii isolates. A disturbing revelation from the study showed all isolates being resistant to carbapenems and aminoglycosides.
The analysis of sporadic infections and epidemic trends yielded crucial data, emphasizing the importance of stringent infection control protocols to restrict A. baumannii spread in hospital environments. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic further amplified the challenge of MDR bacteria, necessitating more focussed efforts toward curbing healthcare-associated infections. Survival of A. baumannii in hospital environments has been linked to contact with contaminated surfaces, the use of invasive medical devices, and healthcare workers’ handshake hygiene.
The study’s aim was to trace the transmission pathways of A. baumannii in ICUs over two years, evaluate PFGE’s role in epidemiological investigations, and assess the use of targeted integration of WGS analysis in detecting cross-infections among different wards. The surveillance period was extended through January 2022, incorporating patients who tested negative for COVID-19.
The comprehensive study puts light on the critical nature of maintaining routine infection control measures during pandemics like SARS-CoV-2, while also stressing the importance of molecular testing in high-risk environments like ICUs to understand the transmission dynamics effectively.
Source: https://aricjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13756-025-01605-7