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Acinetobacter Infection in the Intensive Care Unit

Suthat Rungruanghiranya, M.D. (Hon)*
Charurat Somboonwit, M.D. (Hon)**
Termkiat Kanchanapoom, M.D. (Hon)***

ABSTRACT
The rising incidence of Acinetobacter infection in the intensive care unit (ICU) causes a great
concern to all clinicians and intensivists worldwide due to their extraordinary ability to develop resistance
to multiple classes of antibiotics. Acinetobacter can infect virtually any body site, particularly the lower
respiratory tract, the bloodstream, and the urinary tract. Infection is mainly related to the inappropriate or
previous use of antibiotics and the increasing use of invasive devices in the ICU. Although carbapenem is
currently considered the drug of choice for these pathogens, the occurrence of carbapenem-resistant strains
has led to fewer treatment options. Due to limited therapeutic options, prevention and infection control
measures are essential. (J Infect Dis Antimicrob Agents 2005;22:77-92.)