The Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy

Fluoroquinolones are becoming a less viable treatment option as resistance rates exceed 50% nationally

BACKGROUND

Drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative bacteria found primarily in hospital settings, where it frequently dwells on IV and catheter lines of ICU patients. Because of Acinetobacter’s low virulence, few colonized patients develop a disease. However, when an infection does occur, it often results in hospital-wide outbreaks and relatively high rates of mortality. In the outpatient setting, the pathogen has been associated with wound infections among soldiers, earning it the name “Iraqibacter.”

Fluoroquinolones are among the most widely used antibiotic classes in clinical practice and are highly effective against most Gram-negative species. However, they are generally ineffectve against Acinetobacter spp, and their use may be associated with outbreaks of resistant infections.

RESISTANCE BY U.S. CENSUS DIVISION, 1999-2010