An increasing threat in hospitals: multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Nat Rev Microbiol. 2007 Dec;5(12):939-51. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro1789.

Abstract

Since the 1970s, the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter strains among critically ill, hospitalized patients, and subsequent epidemics, have become an increasing cause of concern. Reports of community-acquired Acinetobacter infections have also increased over the past decade. A recent manifestation of MDR Acinetobacter that has attracted public attention is its association with infections in severely injured soldiers. Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge of the genus Acinetobacter, with the emphasis on the clinically most important species, Acinetobacter baumannii.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter Infections / drug therapy
  • Acinetobacter Infections / epidemiology
  • Acinetobacter Infections / microbiology*
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / drug effects*
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / genetics
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / growth & development
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology*
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Prevalence

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents