Historically, Acinetobacter baumannii has not been considered an important human pathogen. However, a surprisingly high number of multidrugresistant A. baumannii war wound, bloodstream and osteomyelitis infections are occurring in American soldiers injured in Iraq/Kuwait (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom). Thermal projectiles, (e.g., shrapnel, projectile injuries, or traumatic blast) carry the bacterium directly into combat wounds. Because of its resistance to multiple antibiotics, A. baumannii is emerging ...