Caracterización de un brote de infección o colonización por Acinetobacter baumannii, en el Hospital Universitario San José, E.S.E., Popayán, Colombia

Materials and methods: This is a case series of 37 patients with the diagnosis of infection/colonization by Acinetobacter baumannii by positive culture for this organism that occurred between January 2009 and December 2010. Patients were characterized clinically, socially and demographically. The frequency and potential risk factors for infection/colonization by Acinetobacter baumannii are described. Results: 86% of patients had some type of multidrug resistance, the most common being resistant to carbapenems. Potential risk factors most frequently found were: invasive procedures (100%), ICU stay (89.2%), prolonged hospital stay (75.6%), previous infection with another microorganism (51.4%), and malnutrition (40.5%). As for potential risk factors for fatal outcome we found: septic shock (72.2%), multidrug isolates (86%), and more than one isolate of Acinetobacter baumannii. Conclusions and recommendations: The main findings of this study were the presence of multidrug resistance and potential risk factors for infection/colonization by Acinetobacter baumannii in the study population. Mortality rate was 48.4%, due mainly to septic shock (72.2%), similar to that described by other authors. Strategies to reinforce the cleaning and disinfection, especially hand hygiene measures, have proven effective for the prevention and control of outbreaks by Acinetobacter baumannii; therefore, the implementation and strict compliance of these strategies are recommended in the hospital setting.