NOSOCOMIAL ACINETOBACTER MENINGITIS SECONDARY TO INVASIVE PROCEDURES - REPORT OF 25 CASES AND REVIEW

The medical records of 25 patients with nosocomial meningitis due to A cinetobacter baumannii were retrospectively reviewed. Most cases occur red in the neurosurgical intensive care unit over a 5-year period, wit h an increased rate during summer. The majority of infections were ass ociated with indwelling ventriculostomy tubes or CSF fistulae in patie nts receiving antimicrobial therapy. Repeated environmental cultures f ailed to reveal a source of the microorganism, and control measures ha d no apparent effect on the outbreak. However, no further cases appear ed following a sharply reduced total intake of antibiotics in the neur osurgical department. Forty-one cases of acinetobacter meningitis, sec ondary to invasive procedures, were found in the English-language lite rature and were compared with the cases presented. To our knowledge, o ur series is the largest of acinetobacter meningitis reported hitherto . Although not one of the most common pathogens in hospitals, Acinetob acter constitutes an increasing threat for patients, especially those receiving antimicrobial therapy in intensive care units who are being maintained by various life-support systems.