Detecting carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) carriage: Which body site should be cultured?

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020 Aug;41(8):965-967. doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.197. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Abstract

We compared the yield of culturing various body sites to detect carriage of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB). Culturing the skin using a premoistened sponge, with overnight enrichment and plating on CHROMagar MDR Acinetobacter, had the highest yield: 92%. Skin is satisfactory as a single site for active surveillance of CRAB.

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter Infections* / diagnosis
  • Acinetobacter baumannii*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carbapenems