Clinical and microbiological characteristics of bacteremia caused by Acinetobacter lwoffii

A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical features and pathogenic roles of bacteremia caused by Acinetobacter lwoffii during a 4-year period. Acinetobacter lwoffii (formerly Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. lwoffii) is recognized as normal flora of the skin, oropharynx and perineum of healthy individuals. There are few reports of Acinetobacter lwoffii bacteremia associated with indwelling catheters in humans, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. The records of 18 patients with Acinetobacter lwoffii bacteremia whose underlying conditions included cancer (11 patients), systemic lupus erythematosus (n =1), chronic obstructive-pulmonary disease (n = 2) and other diseases (n = 4), all but one of whom had indwelling catheters during the bacteremic episode, were examined. The clinical syndromes were classified as probable catheter-related bacteremia (n = 14), definite catheter-related bacteremia (n = 2), primary bacteremia (n =1) or biliary tract infection (n = 1). The infections improved after removal of the catheter and/or appropriate antimicrobial therapy. One death was attributable to the bacteremic event. The results of this study show that indwelling catheter-related Acinetobacter lwoffii bacteremia in immunocompromised hosts appears to be associated with a low risk of mortality.