Acinetobacter baumannii–calcoaceticus Complex-associated Orbital Cellulitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

ABSTRACT

Acinetobacter baumannii–calcoaceticus complex is emerging as one of the most common causes of hospital-acquired infection globally. We present a case of orbital cellulitis caused by the A. baumannii–calcoaceticus complex. A 73-year-old Chinese woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with subacute onset of right upper eyelid swelling for 1 week. Computer tomography revealed a post-septal soft tissue lesion located at the right superior orbit that was enhanced with contrast, compressing on the superior aspect of the globe. Anterior orbitotomy with incisional biopsy of the right superior orbital lesion was performed, and histopathological examination was consistent with nonspecific inflammatory mass. The microbiological culture of the specimen yielded A. calcoaceticus and A. baumannii complex, which was sensitive to ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and gentamicin. The infection resolved after a 1-week course of intravenous augmentin. Ophthalmologists should be alert to the possibility of patients having A. baumannii and A. calcoaceticus in periorbital cellulitis.

KEYWORDS:

• Acinetobacter baumannii
• Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
• endophthalmitis
• orbital cellulitis
• post-septal cellulitis

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Mr Poon Hin Leung and Mr Tse Pak Hang, Brian, from the Department of Pathology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, for their help in capturing the photographs of the culture plates in the manuscript.

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