What is Acinetobacter baumannii?
Acinetobacter baumannii is a rod-shaped pathogenic bacteria named for its lack of movement (Gk. akinos) and its primary founder, Paul Baummann. This opportunistic pathogenopen_in_new causes infections in healthcare contexts, especially with the immune compromised. In fact, it has been identified as an “ESKAPE” pathogenopen_in_new, meaning it is frequently listed among the following species of bacteria, which are most responsible for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs): Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacter. Each is known for transmission via direct contact, ability to survive on artificial surfaces, and high antibiotic resistanceopen_in_new.
A. baumannii is one of the most resilient microbes out there. News Medicalopen_in_new reports that it can survive for up to a year on a hospital wall without sustenance. To add insult to injury, once it infects a host, it is resistant to virtually every antibiotic available. WHO, (The World Health Organization) calls it one of the most challenging superbugs, in dire need of new antibiotic solutionsopen_in_new.
In some circles, Acinetobacter baumannii has earned the moniker “Iraqibacter” due to its prevalence in medical facilities overseas during the Iraqi war. Injured soldiers, frequently transferred from one facility to another, contracted the pathogen as a result of repeated exposure to varied medical environments.
Where is it Found?
What can it Infect?
How does it Spread?
Preventing the Spread of Acinetobacter baumannii
While Acinetobacter baumannii is typically transmitted via the hands of healthcare personnel, it spreads just as easily on bedrails or medical equipment like IV poles and blood pressure machines, sometimes resulting in large outbreaksopen_in_new. Practicing proper cleanliness and hygiene is a great way to prevent the spread and colonization of A. baumannii.
Incidents of contamination via hospital water systems have also been documentedopen_in_new, and the CDC lists A. baumannii as an opportunistic pathogen of premise plumbingopen_in_new. One study concluded that the bacterium colonized a faucet aeratoropen_in_new, possibly due to splashing while an infected healthcare worker washed their hands.
The spread of A. baumannii can be minimized by:
- Frequent hand washing
- Wearing gloves & gowns
- Disinfecting medical equipment
- Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in the medical facility
- Identifying those infected and isolating them
Get More Protection with UV Disinfection
In addition to the above preventative measures, germicidal ultraviolet (UV-C) water and surface disinfection can inactivate Acinetobacter baumannii in high-risk locations such as hospitals, medical facilities, and nursing homes. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.
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Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See UV-C doses below.
Acinetobacter baumannii: Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation
| Organism: | Alternate Name: | Type: | Disease: | UV Dose*: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acinetobacter baumannii | Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) | Bacteria | Pneumonia, meningitis, variety of infections | 1.8 mJ/cm2 |
* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.
Looking to inactivate another pathogen? View our complete list of UV-C doses for neutralizing many more bacteria, viruses, protozoa, mold, and yeast.
People at High Risk of Infection
The following individuals are at high risk of Acinetobacter baumannii infection:
- Patients in medical facilities, particularly ICUs
- People with weakened immune systems
- The elderly
- Those on breathing machines or ventilators
- Patients with catheters
- Those with open wounds
- Residents of nursing homes or an assisted living facility
Acinetobacter baumannii Symptoms
A. baumannii symptoms include the following:
- Fever, chills
- Breathing problems, cough
- Muscle and chest pain
- Skin rash
- Nausea
- Confusion, altered mental state
- Pain when urinating
Possible Complications from Acinetobacter baumannii
The spread of Acinetobacter baumannii can be linked to many healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, meningitis, UTIs, and surgical wound infections. In critically ill patients, A. baumannii can lead to deathopen_in_new.
Sources on Acinetobacter baumannii
The above information can be found on the following pages:
- Water Conditioning & Purification: Legionella Mitigation in Health Care Facilitiesopen_in_new
- CDC: About Acinetobacteropen_in_new
- Wikipedia: Acinetobacter baumanniiopen_in_new
- NewsMedical: Researchers discover how the A. baumannii can survive harsh environmentsopen_in_new
- CDC: CRABopen_in_new
- Frontiers: Hospital Reservoirs of Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacteropen_in_new
- IntechOpen: Acinetobacter baumannii: Emergence of a Superbug, Past, Present, and Futureopen_in_new
- NIH: Outbreak of drug-resistant Acinetobacteropen_in_new
- NIH: Acinetobacter baumannii, an emerging opportunistic pathogenopen_in_new
- NIH: Common Features of Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogensopen_in_new
Dosage Source
UV Dose–Response of Acinetobacter baumannii in Wateropen_in_new. Michael R. Templeton, Marina Antonakaki, and Michael Rogers, Environmental Engineering Science, Vol. 26, No. 3, March, 2009
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