Morphology: Gram-negative rod that usually appears in pairs

Habitat: Lives in water and soil and can be found in various fresh food items. It can survive for several days on dry surfaces like cell phones and computer keyboards

Disease or illness: Causes bloodstream infections, pneumonia and wound infections

Who is at risk: People with a weakened immune system and hospitalized patients are most at risk of infection with this bacterium. Infections with Acinetobacter baumannii have occurred in military personnel during the war in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and the Vietnam War.

Avoidance techniques: Good hand hygiene especially by health care workers; proper disinfection of equipment and surfaces in the hospital; wound cultures in military personnel should be screened for Acinetobacter baumannii.

Warning: This bacteria is often resistant to many antibiotics

“We often come in sets of two and do our best to eliminate you!”