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.