Antimicrobial Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii: A Challenge to Clinical Settings

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is one of the most efficacious pathogens responsible for hospital-acquired infections in the modern healthcare system and is in priority list 1 as per WHO reports 2023. Due to the prevalence of infections and outbreaks caused by multi-drug resistant A. baumannii, only few antibiotics are effective for treating infections caused by this pathogen. To overcome this problem, understanding of the virulence, pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance mechanisms of A. baumannii is needs to be explored at Global level. In this review, we focused on virulence factors of A. baumannii, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and the therapeutic options available for treating A. baumannii infections. Furthermore, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance of this organism, including acquirement of up-regulation of multidrug efflux pumps and genetic organization are also discussed. Lastly, novel prospective treatment options for infections caused by multi-drug resistant A. baumannii are summarized as Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major public health concern worldwide, and A. baumannii is one of the most significant pathogens associated with this phenomenon.