What is "acinetobacter"

n. Any bacterium of the genus ''Acinetobacter''.

Acinetobacter (a-sin-EE-toe-bak-ter) is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the wider class of Gammaproteobacteria. Acinetobacter species are oxidase-negative and non- motile, and occur in pairs under magnification.

They are important soil organisms, where they contribute to the mineralization of, for example, aromatic compounds. Acinetobacter species are a key source of infection in debilitated patients in the hospital, in particular the species Acinetobacter baumannii.