An outbreak analysis of wound infection due to Acinetobacter baumannii in earthquake-trauma patients

Abstract

ObjectivesMultidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is still a major contributor to outbreaks and infections healthcare-associated infections. This study aimed to investigate an outbreak of wound infection due to A. baumannii in trauma patients injured in the Kahramanmaraş earthquake. MethodsThis retrospective case-control study was conducted on an outbreak of wound infection caused by A. baumannii in trauma patients affected by the February 6 Türkiye earthquake. Among the patients who underwent at least one extremity surgery due to earthquake-related crush-trauma injury, patients with wound infection due to A. baumannii were included in the case group and without infection were included in the control group. Multivariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to identify risk factors. Environmental cultures were taken to identify the source of the outbreak. Molecular typing by pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to confirm the relationships of the wound infection agent A. baumannii strains. ResultsA total of 44 patients were included in the case group and 62 patients in the control group. Time under the debris; 22.0 vs 35.7 (odds ratio [OR]:1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00- 1.04) and Hemodialysis (OR: 6.09, 95% CI: 1.64-22.66) were identified as risk factors for in multivariate analysis. Performing the first intervention in a fully equipped tertiary hospital was seen as an infection-reducing factor compared to performing it in a field hospital (OR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06- 0.68). Dressing trolleys and scissors were identified as the source of the outbreak. ConclusionsAfter devastating earthquakes, a large number of patients are admitted and require emergency interventions due to life-threatening conditions. organ failure often develops and requires the use of invasive catheters and procedures. compliance with infection control measures and clean surgical interventions reduce wound site infections and allow extremities to heal, while problems in adhering to infection control measures can lead to many problems such as outbreaks of gram-negative bacteria. This highlights the importance of infection control measures.