Clinical and Antimicrobial Profile of Acinetobacter Species in Critical Care Setting- An Emerging Nosocomial Bug

Background: The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, particularly within healthcare-associated settings, poses a global public health threat. Among these pathogens, Acinetobacter species, notably Acinetobacter baumannii, have gained recognition as opportunistic nosocomial pathogens with a concerning propensity for antimicrobial resistance. Understanding their clinical and antimicrobial profile is crucial for addressing the challenges posed by these infections.Objectives: To assess the prevalence of Acinetobacter species in distinct clinical samples.To analyze Acinetobacter species' clinical profiles and patterns of antibiotic sensitivity using a range of clinical samples.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India, approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Patients with confirmed Acinetobacter infections were included, and clinical samples were collected from the critical care unit. Demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentations, and outcomes were recorded. Laboratory processing included standard protocols for sample analysis, with confirmation through advanced methods such as PCR.Results: Out of 82 participants, 48.78% showed positive cultures for Acinetobacter species. Prevalence varied by sample type, with urine samples exhibiting the highest positivity (50%). Clinical analysis of 40 infected patients revealed a mean age of 43.72 ± 17.34 years. Musculoskeletal symptoms (17.5%) and obstetric complications (17.5%) were prominent clinical presentations. Antibiotic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that 51% of isolates were multidrug-resistant, with high resistance to key antibiotics. Commonly resistant antibiotics included Cefepime, Piperacillin, Levofloxacin, Imipenem, Meropenem, and Amikacin.Conclusion: This study adds to the growing understanding of Acinetobacter infections, emphasizing the need for awareness, infection control, and judicious antibiotic use. The multidisciplinary clinical presentations and high resistance rates underscore the complexity of managing Acinetobacter infections, requiring a holistic approach in healthcare settings. The findings inform strategies for infection prevention, surveillance, and therapeutic approaches in the global effort to combat antimicrobial resistance