Acinetobacter baumannii: More ways to die.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial and opportunistic pathogen. It causes infections worldwide, especially in intensive care units. It is clinically significant owing to its ability to persist for long periods on surfaces, as well as its resistance to multiple antibiotics. This pathogen has been reported to defy the available therapeutic options to combat it. In this dire circumstance, the need for new approaches to treating A. baumannii infections is undeniable. In this minireview, we summarize three important treatment options for controlling A. baumannii pathogen, including the use of bacteriophage / bacteriophage cocktails, phage-antibiotic combinations and resistance-driven fitness losses. It is hoped that, as resources to treat its infection expand, A. baumannii can become less scary.