A fatal case of community-acquired Acinetobacter pittii necrotising fasciitis, and a review of the literature

AbstractBackground: Acinetobacter species are environmental bacteria and often perceived as contaminants when found in blood cultures. Nonetheless, they can cause serious infections, and few cases of Acinetobacter baumani necrotising fasciitis (NF) has been described in the literature.Methods: A review was conducted with a PubMed search for case reports/cohort studies with cases of NF and findings of Acinetobacter species in clinical samples reporting treatment and outcome.Results:We report a fatal case of a 79-year-old comorbid male patient admitted for erysipelas on the right lower leg. The condition developed rapidly and during debridement, the patient was diagnosed with NF. A. pittii was isolated from both blood and tissue samples. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen treatment and surgical intervention, the patient died from multiple organ failure.Conclusion: This case report is the first to document the significance of A. pittii as a pathogen causing NF. A. pittii should be considered an important finding in a patient with a soft skin infection, and the risk of NF should be assessed.KeywordsAcinetobacter pittii, Acinetobacter baumanii, necrotising fasciitis, necrotizing fasciitis, Fournier?s gangrene.