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Author Spotlight: Advancing Antibiotic Resistance Research Using an Efflux-Deficient Bacterial Strain and a Single-Copy Gene Expression System
05:06

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Published on: January 5, 2024

535

The challenges of difficult-to-treat Acinetobacter infections

Guy A Richards1, Olga Perovic2, Adrian J Brink3

  • 1Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|November 18, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Treating Acinetobacter infections is challenging due to antibiotic resistance. This review guides clinicians on relevant cultures and treatments, emphasizing prompt, directed therapy for high-mortality infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Acinetobacter spp. are difficult-to-treat pathogens known for multidrug resistance.
  • Distinguishing between Acinetobacter colonization and active infection poses a clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review antibiotics active against Acinetobacter spp.
  • To provide guidance on relevant cultures and treatment strategies for Acinetobacter infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of antibiotics targeting Acinetobacter.
  • Analysis of diagnostic parameters including clinical signs, biomarkers (e.g., procalcitonin), and antibiograms.
  • Evaluation of resistance mechanisms and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC).

Main Results:

  • Several antibiotics exhibit activity against Acinetobacter spp.
  • Antibiograms and MIC are crucial for selecting appropriate antimicrobial agents.
  • Prompt, directed therapy is recommended due to high attributable mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Combination therapy is generally advised for Acinetobacter infections.
  • No specific combination therapy has demonstrated definitive superiority.
  • Accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are critical for improving patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Acinetobacter calcoaceticusantibioticsantimicrobial combinationshospital infectionssurveillance studies

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