Difficult-to-treat Acinetobacter Bacteremia in Hospital Acquired Pneumonia Patients, South Korea, 2016-2019

Abstract

Background: Difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) Acinetobacter infection has emerged as a worldwide concern and causes substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and analyze risk factors for mortality in patients with highly resistant Acinetobacter infections. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 231 patients with Acinetobacter bacteremia caused by pneumonia between January 2016 and December 2019. We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes between non-survivor and survivor groups, identified AMR patterns through resistance categories and antimicrobial agents, and analyzed the risk factors for 28-day mortality. Results: We retrospectively evaluated 231 patients with Acinetobacter bacteremia caused by pneumonia between January 2016 and December 2019. We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes between non-survivor and survivor groups, identified AMR patterns through resistance categories and antimicrobial agents, and analyzed the risk factors for 28-day mortality. Conclusion: DTR was associated with higher mortality in Acinetobacter species bacteremia caused by pneumonia. In cases without optimal treatment strategies, colistin may be considered as a treatment option to improve clinical outcomes in DTR Acinetobacter infections.