Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in ventilator-associated pneumonia at a medical center in southern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB)-related ventilator-associated pneumonia at a medical center in southern Taiwan. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with MDRAB isolated from sputum and described the characteristics of these patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their clinical pulmonary infection scores (CPIS), and their host factors and outcomes compared. RESULTS: In the patient group with significant MDRAB-related lung infection, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were significantly higher than in those patients with lower CPIS scores (<6). However, the clinical outcomes, including the duration of hospitalization after isolation of MDRAB and mortality rate, were not different. CONCLUSION: Our investigation showed that significant lung infections with MDRAB isolation did not result in prolonged hospitalization or increased mortality. The initial clinical severity of the group with significant MDRAB-related lung infection was significantly greater than in the other. We propose that MDRAB-related pneumonia should be regarded as a signal of the clinical severity of the patient rather than as a prognostic factor.