What kind of drug-resistant super bacteria appear frequently in hospitals?

Many newborns at Bac Ninh Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital were found to be infected with Acinetobacter bacteria, a dangerous bacteria that causes common diseases in the Intensive Care Unit of hospitals and is a drug-resistant super bacteria.

The National Children's Hospital received 11 children transferred from Bac Ninh after a medical incident, of which 3 children were infected with drug-resistant bacteria.

According to Mr. Tran Minh Dien - Deputy Director of the National Children's Hospital, on November 20 and 21, the hospital received a total of 11 children transferred from the Bac Ninh Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital after a medical incident caused the death of four newborns.

Through testing, 3/11 children were infected with a hospital-acquired strain of bacteria called acinetobactor that is resistant to common antibiotics. The hospital is using a combination of antibiotics to treat the children.

Acinetobacter is a group of bacteria commonly found in soil and water. There are many species of Acinetobacter, all of which can cause disease in humans. Acinetobacter baumannii accounts for about 80% of reported infections.

Outbreaks of Acinetobacter infections typically occur in intensive care units among critically ill patients. Acinetobacter infections rarely occur outside of healthcare settings.

Symptoms of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter causes a wide range of illnesses, from pneumonia to serious blood infections to wound infections, and symptoms vary depending on the illness. Acinetobacter can also “colonize” or live in a patient without causing infection or symptoms, especially in tracheostomy devices or open wounds.

Acinetobacter transmission

Acinetobacter poses little risk to healthy people. However, people with weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease, or diabetes are more susceptible to infection with Acinetobacter. Hospitalized patients, especially those who are critically ill and on ventilators, those who have a prolonged hospital stay, those with open wounds, or anyone with invasive devices such as urinary catheters are at higher risk of infection with Acinetobacter. Acinetobacter can be spread to people who have direct contact with patients.

Acinetobacter infection prevention

Acinetobacter can live on the skin and can survive in the environment for many days. Careful attention to infection control measures, such as hand hygiene and environmental cleaning, can reduce the risk of transmission.

Treatment of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter is often resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics. The decision to treat infections with Acinetobacter should be made on a case-by-case basis by the treating physician.

According to Infonet