Seasonal peaks in infections caused by Acinetobacter species in hospitalised patients

What is it about?

In this study we systematically collated and scrutinised all available evidence describing seasonal patterns in the incidence of Acinetobacter infection in hospitalised patients worldwide. Our analysis supported the existence of a robust global seasonal pattern in the occurrence of Acinetobacter infections in hospital patients, which is characterised by an incidence peak in summer or warmer months and an incidence trough in winter or colder months. We found that the seasonality persisted in different clinical settings and for different types and sources of infection.

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Why is it important?

Acinetobacter species, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii, is a leading microorganism causing severe infections in patients receiving routine hospital care worldwide. The abilities of the organism to survive in inanimate environments for long times, to rapidly develop drug resistance and to spread clonally potentiate its persistence and transmission within hospitals. To develop optimal infection prevention measures, it is crucial to understand the epidemiology of infections caused by Acinetobacter species. In other words, we need to understand when, where and which patients are mostly at risk for such infections. Our systematic assessment of the literature suggests that the occurrence of Acinetobacter infections in hospitals is characterised by a robust global seasonal pattern with a peak in summer/warmer months that persists in different clinical settings and for different types and sources of infection. This merits special attention when designing or evaluating strategies for infection prevention and control in hospitals. We hope that our review of the current evidence will provide a basis for and prompt the conduct of future research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the phenomenon.

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