Community-acquired acinetobacter pneumonia in adults in Papua New Guinea.
Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, an aerobic gram-negative coccobacillus, is a rare cause of community-acquired pneumonia. It most commonly causes nosocomial infections, particularly in elderly debilitated patients who have undergone surgery, instrumentation, and antibiotic therapy. In a study of acute pneumonia in adults, five cases of community-acquired acinetobacter pneumonia were observed over an 11-month period. Other than chronic pulmonary disease (two patients), no serious underlying diseases existed in these patients. Lobar consolidation was the predominant radiologic pattern. The mortality rate was 40%, and mortality was directly related to therapy with inappropriate antibiotics. The reason for this relatively high prevalence of community-acquired acinetobacter pneumonia in the population studied is not known. Possible explanations include the high prevalence of chronic pulmonary disease, indiscriminate use of penicillin, and an unknown immunodeficiency state.
Barnes
D J
DJ
Division of Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby.
Naraqi
S
S
Igo
J D
JD
D000151:Acinetobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010219:Papua New Guinea; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012907:Smoking