ObjectiveTo investigate the colonization and clinical characteristics of multidrugresistant (MDR) bacteria isolated from intensive care unit (ICU) patients.MethodsNasal and rectal swabs of 75 patients admitted to an ICU from February 14, 2012 to March 13,2012 were screened by bacteriological surveillance.ResultsAmong 75 patients, 27 (36.00%) were detected multidrugresistant(MDR) strains;Ninetyone nasal swabs were detected 2 methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates;91 rectal swabs were detected 22 isolates of extendedspectrum βlactamase(ESBL)producing Escherichia coli, 1 ESBLproducing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate, 1 MDR Acinetobacter baumannii, and 1 MDR Pseudomonas fluorescens. Bacterial colonization rates were as follows: patients with length of hospital stay ≥3 days and <3 days was 47.37% and 32.14%, respectively, patients aged ≥60 years and <60 years was 37.29% and 31.25% respectively， patients with infectious underlying diseases and noninfectious underlying diseases was 39.22% and 29.17%，respectively. 21 MDR isolates were isolated from the specimens taken on the first day of admission,19 of which were communitycolonized bacteria, 1 was colonized at the other hospital, and 1 was colonized at the department of internal medicine in this hospital;5 isolates were isolated from specimens taken on the third day,and 1 isolate was isolated on the seventh day, all 6 isolates were colonized at ICU after 72 hours of admission.ConclusionColonization rate of MDR bacteria is high in patients in ICU, especially those aged ≥60 years and/or with infectious diseases, which should be paid attention by clinicians;surveillance should be intensified so as to avoid the outbreak of MDR bacterial infection in hospital.