<i>Acinetobacter</i> <i>baumannii</i>-induced infective endocarditis: new insights into pathophysiology and antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

Infective endocarditis (IE), characterized by inflammation of the endocardial surface of the heart and its valves, results from infections caused by <i>Staphylococcus</i>, <i>Streptococcus</i> and <i>Acinetobacter</i> species and less commonly fungi. <i>Acinetobacter</i>-induced IE is a relatively rare condition with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Notably, its mortality rate is greater than that of endocarditis induced by the <i>Haemophilus</i> species, <i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i>, <i>Cardiobacterium hominis</i>, <i>Eikenella corrodens</i> and <i>Kingella kingae</i>. Although it is rare, <i>Acinetobacter</i>-induced IE caused by <i>A. baumannii</i> might bring unique therapeutic challenges such as increased antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it is vital to understand perfectly the possible pathophysiologic and antibiotic resistance mechanisms adopted by <i>A. baumannii</i> during IE. This review discusses the probable underlying pathomechanisms involved in <i>A. baumannii</i>-induced IE and highlights the potential antibiotic resistance mechanisms, suggesting therapeutic targets for <i>A. baumannii</i>-induced IE.