Acinetobacter spp. and the clinical environment

Infections associated with Acinetobacter spp. are an increasing problem in hospitals around the world, with many infections being multiply resistant to antibiotics. Acinetobacter spp. are particularly hardy and can survive on dry surfaces for long periods of time. They have also been cultured from the air on hospital wards. While it is known that environmental factors can contribute to the spread of infections caused by Acinetobacter spp., the precise role of the clinical environment in this process remains unclear. This review paper investigates this issue and seeks to identify environmental factors which may influence the spread of infections associated with Acinetobacter spp.