Comment - This small, Gram negative bacillus has been previously named Neisseria, Moraxella, Alcaligenes and Mima to name a few. It currently belongs to the Neisseriaceae family that includes Neisseria, Moraxella and Kingella. It frequently appears in pairs, that become spherical in the stationary growth phase, or as small coccobacilli. Seven species are now recognized with A. calcoaceticus as the most common. Most infected patients have immunosuppression, risk factors like foreign bodies, surgery, or instrumentation.
Meningitis occurs after neurosurgical procedures, penetrating injury or CSF leak.
Gram stain may look like Meningococcus. Sporadic cases of meningitis have been reported in healthy children Bacteremia occurs with intravascular catheters or spontaneously in neonates or children with cancer. Community acquired pneumonia has been reported in adults. Sensitivity testing is required to determine specific therapy. Prevention is by careful handwashing.