Acinetobacter spp. bloodstream infection in hematological patients: a 10-year single-center study

This study investigated the clinical and antimicrobial characteristics of Acinetobacter spp. bloodstream infection (BSI) in hematological patients. Risk factors for 30-day mortality and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (CRA) BSI acquisition were also identified.

We reviewed forty hematological patients with Acinetobacter spp. BSI in a large Chinese blood disease hospital between 2013 and 2022. The remaining CRA isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing.

The 30-day mortality rate was high at 35%. Hematological patients with Acinetobacter spp. BSI often presented with severe conditions and co-infections at multiple sites. All strains were colistin-susceptible and 40.0% were CR. Multivariate analysis identified several risk factors associated with CRA BSI acquisition, including previous exposure to carbapenems within 30 days and CRA colonization. Very severe aplastic anaemia, tetracycline-resistant Acinetobacter spp. BSI, and unresolved neutropenia after infection were closely associated with 30-day mortality. Non-survivors often presented with higher median PCT and CRP levels and severe complications, such as intracranial infection, cardiac dysfunction, respiratory failure, and severe sepsis or septic shock. Our study also identified inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy as an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (OR: 11.234, 95% CI: 1.261-20.086, P = 0.030). This study was the first to report A. oleivorans as a human pathogen, and to identify its unique oxacillinase, OXA-325.

An environment-originated non-pathogenic species can become pathogenic when the body's immunity is compromised. Our results also highlighted the importance of improving neutropenia after infection, treating severe organ dysfunction, and administering appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy to reduce mortality in this patient population.