II. Pathophysiology
- Acinetobacter Baumannii
- Aerobic Gram Negative Rod, similar to Pseudomonas
- Short rods (cocobacilli)
- Sources
- Soil
- Water
- Counter and other surfaces (survives for extended periods)
III. Associated Conditions: Nosocomial Infections
IV. Labs
- Microscopy may be difficult (risk of misdiagnosis)
- Short rods may appear similar to cocci
- May appear Gram Positive
- On solid media, appear as diplococci (similar to Neisseria species)
- Short rods may appear similar to cocci
V. Management: Antibiotics
- Empiric therapy in regions of low multi-drug resistance (<10-15%)
- Cefepime
- Meropenem
- Ampicillin-Sulbactam (Unasyn)
- Empiric therapy in regions of high multi-drug resistance (>10-15%, consider combination therapy)
- Ampicillin-Sulbactam (Unasyn)
- Sulbactam is sufficient alone if available
- Imipenem-Cilastin
- Meropenem
- Polymyxin B
- Ampicillin-Sulbactam (Unasyn)
VI. References
- Gladwin, Trattler and Mahan (2014) Clinical Microbiology, Medmaster, Fl, p. 94-5
- Sanford Guide, accessed on IOS 2/2/2025
- Ayoub (2020) Antibiotics 9(3):119 +PMID: 32178356 [PubMed]
