Acinetobacter anitratus infections in man.

During a period of 17 months, 142 strains of Acinetobacter anitratus were isolated from 140 patients. They were examined for biochemical characteristics, antibiotic susceptibilities to 15 chemotherapeutic drugs and clinical and epidemiologic features. Biochemical studies were necessary for positive identification of this gram negative rod. Many isolates were susceptible to kanamycin, gentamicin, polymixin B, cotrimoxazole and nalidixic acid. Most isolates were hospital acquired and had been cultured from a number of anatomic sites in the presence of a variety of clinical situations. Acinetobacter anitratus was the primary infecting organism in two cases of septicaemia (one fatal), two pneumonias, two wound infections and six urinary tract infections. Because of its potential pathogenicity this organism should not be dismissed as a harmless commensal by laboratory staff and clinicians.