Acinetobacter is a group of gram positive, nonmotile bacteria most commonly found in the soil or water.
This bacterium has been isolated from various types of opportunistic infection. Various factors predisposing to severe infections, such as underlying disease, malignancy, burns or major surgery, have been indentified and are common to many other pathogens.
Acinetobacter most often colonize patients in intensive care units, particularly those with devices such as endotracheal tubes, indwelling urinary catheters, intravascular catheters or surgical drains.
Risk factors include recent surgery, antibiotic therapy, and immunosuppresion. Patients with serious underlying illnesses can become colonized rapidly with Acinetobacter from highly contaminated environment.
Acinetobacter is primarily spread from person to person and from fomites, such as medical equipment. It is possible that aerosolization is a route of exposure.
Acinetobacter spp can cause infection in virtually every organ system: septicemia, urinary tract infections, eye infections, meningitis, skin infections, pneumonia and endocarditis.
Acinetobacter infection
