Environmental contamination of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria away from isolated patients in intensive care unit: a comprehensive surveillance study.

Pan Xiao, Hui-Chao Huang, Chen Li, An-Hua Wu, Xun Huang, Chun-Hui Li, Fei-Yun Zhu, Si-Di Liu

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Pan Xiao *Medical Department, Liuyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Changsha, China.

Hui-Chao Huang *Infectious Diseases Department, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.

Chen LiClinical Laboratory Department, Liuyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Changsha, China.

An-Hua WuInfection Control Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.

Xun HuangInfection Control Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.

Chun-Hui LiInfection Control Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.

Fei-Yun ZhuScience and Education Department, Liuyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Changsha, China.

Si-Di LiuInfection Control Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China. liusidiluck@csu.edu.cn.

Funding

the National Natural Science Youth Foundation of China No. 2022M713512the Youth Talent Support Project for the Development of Hospital Infection Discipline, Hospital Infection Control Branch, Chinese Preventive Medicine Association No.YG-2024012900111

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Environmental contamination by carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) contributes to healthcare-associated infections in intensive care unit (ICU). However, contamination in areas away from isolated patients remains inadequately characterized, and local epidemiological data are limited. A comprehensive surveillance study was conducted in the ICU of a tertiary hospital from January 2019 to December 2022. Monthly collections included clinical specimens (sputum, urine, blood) and environmental samples (inanimate surfaces, healthcare workers' hands). Gram-negative bacteria were cultured, and carbapenem sensitivity testing was performed. Among 5,097 clinical specimens collected over the 4-year study period, 898 (17.6%) GNB isolates and 405 (8.0%) CR-GNB isolates were detected, with Klebsiella pneumoniae and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) being the most common species. From 2,215 environmental samples, 144 (6.5%) GNB and 90 (4.1%) CR-GNB strains were identified, predominantly A. baumannii and CRAB. The overall CR-GNB environmental contamination rates were highest on work coats (6.8%), followed by nonisolated patient medical devices (5.8%), nonisolated patient bed units (4.3%), mobile phones (4.1%), doctors' offices and nurses' stations (3.6%), and healthcare workers' hands (2.0%). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the monthly number of positive A. baumannii or CRAB isolates from environmental samples and clinical specimens. CR-GNB, particularly CRAB, contaminates ICU environments, including nonisolated patient areas and healthcare stations, highlighting the need for enhanced environmental surveillance in the ICU.

Indexed as

CarbapenemsDrug Resistance, BacterialGram-Negative BacteriaGram-Negative Bacterial InfectionsIntensive Care UnitsAcinetobacter baumanniiAnti-Bacterial AgentsCross InfectionHumansKlebsiella pneumoniaeMicrobial Sensitivity TestsAnti-Bacterial AgentsCarbapenemsCarbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB)Comprehensive surveillanceEnvironmental contaminationInfection controlIntensive care unit (ICU)Nonisolated patients

Identifiers

PMID41469410

DOI10.1038/s41598-025-30256-2

PMCPMC12780164

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