Validation of PCR-Based Testing for Surveillance of Drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (ISAba1/blaOXA-51-Like) in a Pediatric Ward

Abstract

Objective : This study was performed to validate PCR-based testing for surveillance of Acinetobacter baumannii ( A. baumannii ) in a pediatric ward in response to an outbreak of drug resistant A. baumannii (IS Aba1 / bla OXA-51-like) in our tertiary care hospital. Materials : All children who were admitted to the pediatric ward were included in this study. The surveillance study was carried out from March 2012 to December 2013. Methods : After collecting samples from all children in our pediatric ward, PCR analyses were conducted. IS Aba1 / bla OXA-51-like gene-positive patients were isolated from other patients and strict standard precautionary procedures for infection control were put into practice. Results : During the survey period, a total of 1,038 children underwent surveillance on admission. Of the 16 cases of Acinetobacter baumannii colonization identified during surveillance, 6 were positive for the IS Aba1 / bla OXA-51-like gene, and all IS Aba1 / bla OXA-51-like gene-positive patients received mechanical ventilation. No new IS Aba1 / bla OXA-51-like gene-positive cases were identified during the last six months of surveillance. However, among the 10 IS Aba1 / bla OXA-51-like gene-negative A. baumannii cases, 3 were neonates transferred from the same gynecological hospital. Conclusion : PCR-based testing was effective for stopping transmission of an A. baumannii outbreak in a pediatric ward. This event emphasized the importance of surveillance and interfacility communication among hospitals for prevention of infection outbreaks.