Frequency of nosocomial infections with antibiotic resistant Acinetobacter spp. in intensive care unit (ICU) patients

Acinetobacter is a Gram-negative coccobacillus and one of the most nosocomial infections. Acinetobacter spp resistant strains in the world have created health problems. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for infections with multi drug resistance (MDR) of Acinetobacter spp. in patients admitted to the ICU of Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran, 2008 to 2010. This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was designed on all of the 130 patients with culture positive for Acinetobacter spp. Microbiologic and specific demographic data were extracted from patient’s laboratory and archive file. The data were analyzed by using SPSS16 statistical software and chi-square and Mann-Whitney test. The prevalence of infection with Acinetobacter spp. separately by years was: 21.5, 30.8 and 47.7% in 1386, 1387 and 1388, respectively. 100% isolates were resistance to Carbnicillin, Piperacillin, Cefotaxime and Cephalotin, 99.2% to Ciprofloxacin, Cotrimoxazole and Chloramphenicol, 97.7% to Imipenem, 95.4% to Tetracycline and 91.5% to Gentamicin. Highest percentage sensitivity was to Amikacin 14.6%. Nosocomial infections with Acinetobacter spp. during the three years, was a growing trend and all isolates were MDR and the highest susceptibility was to Amikacin. It seems that the incorrect diagnosis, use of antibiotics for viral infections, inappropriate doses and time of antibiotic therapy (less or more), inappropriate formulation and low quality of some of antibiotics, are the most important cause of MDR. The proper use of antibiotics to prevent MDR bacterial nosocomial infections is recommended.   Key words: Acinetobacter spp, intensive care unit (ICU), multi drug resistance (MDR), nosocomial infections.