Acinetobacter Baumannii: An Emerging Threat to Public Health – A Review of Literature

Abstract

<strong>ABSTRACT</strong> <strong>Background:</strong> <em>Acinetobacter baumannii </em>is a microbe that is fast becoming a danger or threat to public health. Studies have described a rapidly changing epidemiology of the opportunistic pathogen and credited it with increasing importance in the community and healthcare-associated infections. The threat of <em>A. baumannii </em>is considered to be of public health significance due to its recent association with increased length of hospital admission, increased mortality, and morbidity, particularly among patients in the intensive care units. The objective of this review is to highlight the characteristics of this emergent pathogen to better understand and curtail it. <strong>Methodology: </strong>This review comprises a literature search of chapters in books and journals which gives an insight into the peculiarities of <em>A. baumannii. </em>It centers on evolving pathogenesis, epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, laboratory investigations, the molecular basis of resistance, and management of infections caused by the pathogen. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Due to the public health significance of the pathogen, there is an urgent call for increased vigilance and improved knowledge/research-driven approaches to the diagnosis and management of <em>A. baumannii </em>infections.