Acinetobacter /as′inē′təbak′tər/ , a genus of nonmotile, aerobic bacteria of the family Neisseriaceae that often occurs in clinical specimens. The bacterium contains gram-negative or gram-variable cocci and does not produce spores. It grows on regular medium without serum and is oxidase negative and catalase positive. It is mainly found in water, and its disease activity is opportunistic. Most human disease is caused by A. baumannii. The bacterium can cause various infections, including pneumonia, wound infections, bacteremia, and meningitis. Most infections occur in immunocompromised individuals and rarely occur outside of intensive care units and other health care settings. The organism can also colonize patients without causing symptoms or infection, particularly in open wounds or tracheostomy sites. Acinetobacter is often resistant to those antibiotics used regularly.
