Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in the intensive care unit.

We read the report entitled "Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in intensive care unit patients in a hospital with building construction: is there an association?" [1] with great interest. In this report, Kamalbeik et al. [1] concluded that "further research is necessary to establish a relationship between A. baumannii and soil, (especially in regards to its bioremediation)." In fact, there have been many reports of A. baumannii within hospitals in many settings worldwide [1,2,3]. Outbreaks in intensive care units are important considerations and should be a focus of postoperative infection control [1,4]. The source of an infectious outbreak in the intensive care unit is usually unexpected and may include uncommon sources such as contaminated medical apparatus [4]. The role of the anesthesiologist is to promote good clinical practice according to infection control principles. Routine surveillance for possible contamination of medical apparatuses is also suggested.