Clonal spread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a neonatal intensive care unit

Acinetobacter baumannii has often been associated with colonization and/or infection in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). This study describes a clonal spread of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) isolates in an NICU. In total, 21 CRAB isolates were collected from premature newborns. Only polymyxin B was active against such isolates. Nineteen CRAB isolates were clonally related (Cluster C, which belonged to worldwide-disseminated ST1). All newborns had peripheral access and had received β-lactam therapy previously. The implementation of strict infection control measures was of fundamental importance to eradicate the clonal type in the study hospital.