Detecting carbapenem-resistant <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> (CRAB) carriage: Which body site should be cultured?

Abstract

We compared the yield of culturing various body sites to detect carriage of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB). Culturing the skin using a premoistened sponge, with overnight enrichment and plating on CHROMagar MDR Acinetobacter, had the highest yield: 92%. Skin is satisfactory as a single site for active surveillance of CRAB.