The predominant sites of Acinetobacter nosocomial infections have varied with time in early observations, urinary tract infections were predominantly in ICUs.
They may be recovered from the hospital environment, from colonized or infected patients and from the hands of staff.
Acinetobacter has been isolated from various types of opportunistic infection, including septicemia, pneumonia, endocarditis, meningitis, skin and wound sepsis, and urinary tract infection.
These organisms are frequently pandrug-resistant and are capable of causing substantial morbidity and mortality on patients with severe underlying disease, both in hospital and in the community.
Several factors are associated with occurrence of Acinetobacter infection:
*Factors related to the environment, previously contaminated by the organism – contaminated materials, mattresses, ventilators, water bath
*Factors related to the patients – age, prolonged hospitalization
*The role of selective pressure of antibiotics
Inadequate de contamination of ventilator equipment and infrequent changing of gloves by personnel have been identified as the cause of the outbreaks.
A pediatric outbreak of Acinetobacter bacteremia has been associated with contaminant air conditioner with aerosohzation of the organism.
Acinetobacter infections in hospital
