Severe infection in a lung transplant recipient caused by donor-transmitted carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is an emerging pathogen, frequently associated with nosocomial outbreaks of infection (1). Although healthcare-associated infections are commonly seen among lung transplant (LT) recipients (2), data are scarce on the epidemiology and outcome of CRAB infections in these patients (3, 4). Most cases reported to date were typical postoperatively acquired infections, occurring several weeks after admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), and associated with mechanical ventilation or exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the present report we describe, for the first time to our knowledge, confirmed donor-recipient transmission of CRAB causing severe infectious complication after LT. The study was approved by the institutional review board of the hospital.