Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs)

Active bacterial core surveillance (ABCs) is a component of CDC's Emerging Infections Program Network (EIP), a collaboration between CDC, state health departments and universities.




ABC is a laboratory population, surveillance of invasive bacterial pathogens of importance to public health.

For each case of invasive disease in the population under surveillance, a case with basic demographic information is completed and bacterial isolates are sent to CDC and other reference laboratories for additional laboratory evaluation.

Transmission of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter

Acinetobacter is a group of bacteria commonly found in soil and water. Outbreaks of Acinetobacter infections typically occur in intensive care units and health facilities housing patients very sick.

Symptoms of Acinetobacter infection

cinetobacter causes a variety of diseases ranging from pneumonia to serious blood or wound infections, and symptoms vary depending on the disease.


Transmission of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter has very little risk to healthy people. However, people with weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or diabetes may be more susceptible to infection by Acinetobacter.

Hospitalized patients, especially in very ill patients on a ventilator, those with prolonged hospital stay, those who have open wounds, or any other person with invasive devices such as urinary catheters are at increased risk of infection with Acinetobacter.

Prevention of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter can live on the skin and may survive in the environment for several days. Careful attention to infection control procedures, such as hand hygiene and environmental cleaning, can reduce the risk of transmission.

Treatment of Acinetobacter infection

Acinetobacter is often resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics. Decisions on treatment of infections with Acinetobacter should be made on a case-by-case basis by a healthcare provider.

Acanthamoeba Microscopic Free-living Amoeba

Acanthamoeba is a microscopic free-living amoeba that can cause infections rare but serious eye, skin and central nervous system.

The amoeba is found all over the world in the environment in water and soil. The amoeba can be transmitted to the eye through the use of contact lenses, cuts or sores on the skin or be inhaled into the lungs. Most people will be exposed to Acanthamoeba during their lifetime, but few become ill from this exposure.


The three diseases caused by Acanthamoeba are:

Acanthamoeba keratitis – An infection of the eye that typically occurs in healthy persons and can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness.

Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE) – A serious infection of the brain and spinal cord that typically occurs in persons with a compromised immune system.

Disseminated infection – A widespread infection that can affect the skin, sinuses, lungs, and other organs independently or in combination. It is also more common in persons with a compromised immune system.

ACE: Adverse Childhood Experiences Learning

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is one of the largest investigations ever guided on to assess associations between childhood maltreatment and later-life health and well-being. The study is a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente's Health Estimation Clinic in San Diego.



More than 17,000 Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) members undergoing a comprehensive physical examination took to provide detailed information about their childhood experience of abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction. To date, more than 50 scientific articles have been issued and more than100 conference and workshop presentations have been made.

The ACE Study findings propose that certain experiences are major risk factors for the leading causes of illness and death as well as poor quality of life in the United States. Progress in preventing and recovering from the nation's worst health and social problems is potential to benefit from understanding that many of these problems arise as a consequence of adverse childhood experiences.

Child Maltreatment Prevention

kid maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or different person in a custodial role (e.g., clergy, coach, teacher).



There are four common types of abuse:

1. Physical Abuse

2. Sexual Abuse

3. Emotional Abuse

4. Neglect

CDC’s research and programs work to understand the problem of kid maltreatment and prevent it before it begins.

Patients Aware: Syringe Never Reuse

Patients need to be aware of a very serious threat to their health - the reuse of needles or syringes, and the misuse of medication vials. Healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, and anyone providing injections) should never reuse a needle or syringe either from one patient to another or to withdraw medicine from a vial. Both needle and syringe must be discarded once they have been used. It is not safe to change the needle and reuse the syringe - this practice can transmit disease.

Injection Information for Patients

Patients need to be aware that unsafe injection practices can be serious threat to their health. Healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, and anyone providing injections) should never reuse a needle or syringe either from one patient to another or to withdraw medication from a vial. Both needle and syringe must be discarded once they have been used. It is not safe to change the needle and reuse the syringe - this practice can transmit disease.



Reusing a needle or syringe can put patients in danger of getting hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and HIV.

Patient Useful info:

Injection Safety FAQs for Patients
A Patient Safety Threat - Syringe Reuse