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Acinetobacter Infections in Neonates

Current Infectious Disease Reports volume 20, Article number: 48 (2018) Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

MDR-Gram-negative bacteria are a great concern in the neonatal population, with a worldwide rise in the reported incidence and with very limited therapeutic options. Acinetobacter baumannii is responsible for many infections in neonates and outbreaks in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); also, outbreaks caused by other Acinetobacter species have been reported. The aim of this review is to document the epidemiology of Acinetobacter spp. infections in neonates and risk factors for acquisition of Acinetobacter spp. in the NICU using data from published studies.

Recent Findings

Acinetobacter spp. infections are increasing in neonates in NICU. Outbreak caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) or extensively drug resistant (XDR) A. baumannii but also outbreak caused by susceptible A. soli and A. septicus sp. nov., were reported in neonates. Acinetobacter spp. were responsible for bloodstream infections and respiratory tract infections in neonates. Risk factors for A. baumannii acquisition in neonates were low birthweight, length of NICU stay, umbilical catheterization, central-venous catheterization, assisted ventilation, and prior antibiotic use.

Summary

This review highlights the importance of surveillance of risk factors for healthcare-associated infections in NICU to control MDR and XDR A. baumannii infections in neonates.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Raffaele Zarrilli, Maria Bagattini, Eliana Pia Esposito & Maria Triassi

Authors
  1. Raffaele Zarrilli
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  2. Maria Bagattini
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  3. Eliana Pia Esposito
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  4. Maria Triassi
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Correspondence to Raffaele Zarrilli.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pediatric Infectious Diseases

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Zarrilli, R., Bagattini, M., Esposito, E.P. et al. Acinetobacter Infections in Neonates. Curr Infect Dis Rep 20, 48 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-018-0654-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-018-0654-5

Keywords

  • Acinetobacter
  • Neonatal intensive care unit
  • Outbreak
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Infection
  • Risk factor analysis