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Indoor and Built Environment, Vol. 15, No. 1, 19-24 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1420326X06062501

Reviews

Acinetobacter spp. and the Clinical Environment

C. B. Beggs

School of Engineering, Design and Technology, University of Bradford, UK

K. G. Kerr

Harrogate Healthcare Trust/Hull York Medical School, UK

A. M. Snelling

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bradford, UK

P. A. Sleigh

School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, UK

Infections associated with Acinetobacter spp. are an increasing problem in hospitals around the world, with many infections being multiply resistant to antibiotics. Acinetobacter spp. are particularly hardy and can survive on dry surfaces for long periods of time. They have also been cultured from the air on hospital wards. While it is known that environmental factors can contribute to the spread of infections caused by Acinetobacter spp., the precise role of the clinical environment in this process remains unclear. This review paper investigates this issue and seeks to identify environmental factors which may influence the spread of infections associated with Acinetobacter spp.

Key Words: Acinetobacter spp. • Acinetobacter baumannii • Transmissibility • Airborne transmission • Humidity • Clinical environment

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This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
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Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
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Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (3)
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Right arrow Articles by Beggs, C. B.
Right arrow Articles by Sleigh, P. A.
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