Genetics, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii infections have become an emerging health concern in hospitals across the world and are often associated with nosocomial infections with poorer clinical outcomes in patients with prolonged hospital stay. Management of infections involves prompt identification of the infecting strain, isolating the source of infection, and proper choice of antibiotic regimen. However, resistance to first-line antimicrobial drugs, combined with a lack of equally effective alternatives, complicates the treatment of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii. Presently, multidrug-resistant A. baumannii is a serious health concern in hospitals and long-term care facilities and requires immediate and sustained prevention efforts to control the rate of incidence. This review describes trends in epidemiology, genetic markers, and other factors that influence the incidence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii. Current and emerging treatments as well as infection control strategies are discussed.

Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; Antibiotics; Epidemiology; Infectious disease control; Multidrug resistance; Nosocomial infections.