A retrospective study of clinical characteristics of acinetobacter bacteremia.

High rates of acinetobacter bacteremia were observed in a large teaching hospital in Hong Kong. A retrospective study of 94 acinetobacter bacteremic episodes in patients in 1993-94 revealed 70 episodes of significant bacteremia. 53% of the patients were over 60 years with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. Cases were most rare during the fourth quarter. The intensive care unit was the commonest location of acquisition of bacteremia. Most infections were hospital acquired. Intravascular catheters, urinary catheters, antibiotic therapy and respiratory tract manipulations were common risk factors. Lower respiratory tract infections and catheter-related sepsis were predominant foci of bacteremia. One-third of the patients received appropriate antibiotics within 48 hours after bacteremia onset. Mortality attributable to acinetobacter infection was 27%. Prognosis of underlying diseases, location in intensive care unit, lower respiratory tract infection as foci of infection as well as diabetes mellitus were associated with mortality.