Acinetobacter species
The diagnosis and surveillance of Acinetobacter spp. bacteraemia.
Acinetobacter species belong to a group of Gram-negative bacteria that are readily found throughout the environment including drinking and surface waters, soil, sewage and various types of foods. Healthy individuals are at low risk of infection by Acinetobacter species.
Acinetobacter infections acquired in the community are very rare and most strains found outside hospitals are sensitive to antibiotics.
A few species, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii, can cause serious infections in hospital patients who are already very unwell. These ‘hospital-adapted’ strains of Acinetobacter baumannii are sometimes resistant to many antibiotics and the infections that they cause can therefore be difficult to treat.
The most common Acinetobacter infections include:
- pneumonia
- bacteraemia (blood stream infection)
- wound infections
- urinary tract infections
Diagnosis
Antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infections (AMRHAI) reference unit
Management
Working party guidance on the control of multi-resistant Acinetobacter outbreaks
Epidemiology
Acinetobacter spp. bacteraemia: annual data from voluntary surveillance