Clinical Significance, Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm Formation of Acinetobacter baumannii: Review.

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative, non-fermentative aerobic, multi-drug resistant coccobacillus that is prominently seen in the healthcare settings. It is present in normal flora of human skin, upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. They have emerged as significant nosocomial pathogen and occasionally referred to as causative agent for community-acquired infection. The main characteristics of A. baumannii is the capacity to remain in hospital environment on various inanimate materials paving a way for infection in vulnerable patients The natural habitat of A. baumannii is not clearly understood, it is not only isolated from hospitalized patients but also from sick animals. A. baumannii colonizes cutaneous layer, mucosal membranes as well as hospital equipments like tap water, sink, lotion dispensers, mattresses, respiratory equipment, pillows, curtains, blankets, telephone, door handles, dustbins, steel trolleys and computers. A. baumannii has the capacity to adapt to a wide range of antibiotics, rapid transformation and it has a great ability to persist in the environment for a very long time. The hospital acquired infections in majority affects the patients in Intensive Care Units. A. baumannii has led to epidemic outbreaks or endemic occurrences, which has shown high mortality rates in past reports. The major cause of high mortality rate is due to the emergence of multidrug resistant strains.