Blood stream infections caused by Acinetobacter ursingii in an obstetrics ward

The genus Acinetobacter is an important causative pathogen of nosocomial infections in the healthcare setting. The objectives of this study were to determine the species of causative pathogens and the sources of Acinetobacter blood stream infections that occurred in 2 immunocompetent pregnant women admitted to an obstetrics ward within a 2-month period. Phenotypic identification of the two isolates from blood stream infections was inconsistent among the ID test, the MicroScan WalkAway and the Vitek2 systems. In addition to the growth profile and detailed biochemical analysis, genotypic identification and phylogenetic tree analysis based on the almost complete 16S rRNA sequence and the partial rpoB gene sequence confirmed the identification of these isolates as A. ursingii. Environmental investigation of the obstetrics ward revealed A. ursingii and different strains of Acinetobacter junii in specimens obtained from the ward shower bath, although the source and route of transmission for the A. ursingii infections were not clarified. Our findings show that A. ursingii can inhabit the hospital environment.

Research highlights▶ Blood stream infections in 2 immunocompetent pregnant women were caused by A. ursingii. ▶ Genotypic identification was based on the 16S rRNA and the rpoB gene sequences. ▶ Potential resistance to antimicrobials in A. ursingii should be considered. ▶ A. ursingii can inhabit the hospital environment along with A. junii.