Outbreak with OXA-23-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in a COVID-19 ICU cohort: unraveling routes of transmission

Abstract

An outbreak of OXA-23-producing carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii amongst ICU-patients with COVID-19 likely occurred by transmission through inanimate surfaces, potentially facilitated by a contaminated positioning pillow shared between patients. Subsequent rapid spread may have been caused by exposure to respiratory secretions contaminating healthcare worker’s gloves and gowns during prone positioning.