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Review
. 2024 Dec 10;37(4):e0009324.
doi: 10.1128/cmr.00093-24. Epub 2024 Nov 18.

The challenges of difficult-to-treat Acinetobacter infections

Guy A Richards #  1 , Olga Perovic  2 , Adrian J Brink #  3
Affiliations
Review

The challenges of difficult-to-treat Acinetobacter infections

Guy A Richards et al. Clin Microbiol Rev. .

Abstract

SUMMARYInfections due to Acinetobacter spp. are among the most difficult to treat. Most are resistant to standard antibiotics, and there is difficulty in distinguishing colonizers from pathogens. This mini-review examines the available antibiotics that exhibit activity against these organisms and provides guidance as to which cultures are relevant and how to treat active infections. Antibiograms describing resistance mechanisms and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) are essential to determine which agent or combination of agents should be used after confirmation of infection, utilizing clinical parameters and biomarkers such as procalcitonin. Directed therapy should be prompt as despite its reputation as a colonizer, the attributable mortality is high. However, although combination therapy is advised, no specific combination has definite evidence of superiority.

Keywords: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus; antibiotics; antimicrobial combinations; hospital infections; surveillance studies.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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