What is it about?
Acinetobacter baumannii is a bacterium that survives for long periods on hospital surfaces and equipment and mainly infects critically ill patients, causing pneumonia, bloodstream, wound and urinary infections. Over the years it has acquired resistance to most available antibiotics, including carbapenems. In this book chapter we describe the microbiology and epidemiology of Acinetobacter, the infections it causes, the mechanisms behind its resistance, and the options available for treatment and infection control.
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Why is it important?
Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter is one of the most feared pathogens in intensive care units worldwide, and the World Health Organization lists it among critical-priority bacteria. A concise, clinically oriented overview helps physicians, microbiologists and infection control teams to recognise, treat and prevent these infections.
Perspectives
Writing this chapter early in my career with Nicola Petrosillo, a mentor I deeply admire, was a formative experience. Acinetobacter taught me how infection control and antibiotic therapy must always go hand in hand.
Professor Stefano Di Bella
Universita degli Studi di Trieste
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Acinetobacter Infections, January 2014, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-416975-3.00020-0.
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