Acinetobacter baumannii complex

Background

Microbiology

• Contains Acinetobacter baumannii, Acinetobacter nosocomialis, and Acinetobacter pittii
• Non-motile, non-fermenting Gram-negative bacillus

Management

• Choice of antibiotic depends on susceptibility testing
• Possible options include:
  • Cefepime, ceftriaxone, and cefotaxime
  • Cefiderocol
  • Carbapenems
  • Tigecycline
  • Colistin and polymyxin B (though Acinetobacter junii has inherent resistance)
• Aminoglycosides may not penetrate well into lungs and brain, so are usually avoided
• Bacteriophages are promising