Acinetobacter Infection

Acinetobacter is an opportunistic Gram-negative coccobacillus causing nosocomial infections when host resistance falls. It causes respiratory infection, septicemia, meningitis, endocarditis, wound/skin infection, and genitourinary infection; severe cases are fatal. It is increasingly multidrug-resistant, especially in ICU patients.

Common Symptoms

Bacterial infection; shock; chest pain; hepatosplenomegaly; bedridden; neutrophilia; ecchymosis; eye infection; prostatic hyperplasia; rales

Causes and Pathogenesis

Acinetobacter are non-fermentative Gram-negative coccobacilli 2.0 × 1.2 µm, arranged in pairs (diplococci on solid media, short rods in liquid); they resist decolorization (false-positive). Strict aerobes, undemanding nutritionally. They live in water/soil and on healthy skin/saliva/pharynx/eyes/ears/respiratory/genitourinary tracts; found in milk/dairy/poultry/frozen food. Virulence is weak, but A. baumannii, A. calcoaceticus, and A. lwoffii are more virulent; disease occurs when resistance falls. Skin of patients/staff is the reservoir and source of most outbreaks. Risk factors: major surgery, severe underlying disease (malignancy, burns), immunocompromise, neonates, and the elderly.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

1. Treat primary disease; remove catheters; stop steroids/broad-spectrum antibiotics promptly. 2. Staff handwashing and benzalkonium chloride disinfection. 3. Thoroughly disinfect rooms after infected patients leave; disinfect catheters/tracheostomy tubes. 4. Limit long-term broad-spectrum antibiotics; choose agents with minimal impact on normal flora. 5. Improve general immunity.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Infectious Diseases department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.