Acinetobacter

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Acinetobacter Baumanni

General information about Acinetobacter[edit | edit source]

  • Acinetobacter [asz−in−ée−toe–back−ter] is a group of bacteria commonly found in soil and water.
  • While there are many types or “species” of Acinetobacter and all can cause human disease, Acinetobacter baumannii [asz−in−ée−toe–back−ter   boe-maa-nee-ie] accounts for about 80% of reported infections.
  • Outbreaks of Acinetobacter infections typically occur in intensive care units and healthcare settings housing very ill patients. Acinetobacter infections rarely occur outside of healthcare settings.
  • Acinetobacter
    Acinetobacter

Symptoms of Acinetobacter infection[edit | edit source]

  • Acinetobacter causes a variety of diseases, ranging from pneumonia to serious blood or wound infections, and the symptoms vary depending on the disease.
  • Acinetobacter may also “colonize” or live in a patient without causing infection or symptoms, especially in tracheostomy sites or open wounds.

For more images of this bacterium, search the Public Health Image Library

Transmission of Acinetobacter infection[edit | edit source]

  • Acinetobacter poses very little risk to healthy people.
  • Acinetobacter can be spread to susceptible persons by person-to-person contact or contact with contaminated surfaces.
Acinetobacter baumannii
Acinetobacter baumannii

Immune system compromise[edit | edit source]

  • People who have weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease, or diabetes may be more susceptible to infections with Acinetobacter.
  • Hospitalized patients, especially very ill patients on a ventilator, those with a prolonged hospital stay, those who have open wounds, or any person with invasive devices like urinary catheters are also at greater risk for Acinetobacter infection.

Prevention of Acinetobacter infection[edit | edit source]

  • 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[edit | edit source]

  • Acinetobacter is often resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics.
  • Acinetobacter infection typically occurs in ill patients and can either cause or contribute to death in these patients.
  • Acinetobacter infections are generally treated with antibiotics.

Culture and sensitivity[edit | edit source]

  • Culture and sensitivity is done to determine which are active against the germ.
  • The provider will then select an antibiotic based on the activity of the antibiotic and other factors, like potential side effects or interactions with other drugs.

Antibiotic resistance[edit | edit source]

Unfortunately, many Acinetobacter germs are resistant to many antibiotics, including carbapenems, which makes them difficult to treat with available antibiotics. A-Z index of infectious diseases | Glossary of infection control | Glossary of vaccines


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD