*Acinetobacter baumannii* is a Gram-negative bacterium that is often found in hospitals. It is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections, and it is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

One of the things that makes *A. baumannii* so difficult to treat is its ability to survive in harsh environments. The bacterium can survive for long periods of time on dry surfaces, even without water.

A new study has found that *A. baumannii* can survive on dry surfaces by forming a biofilm. A biofilm is a community of bacteria that are attached to a surface. The bacteria in a biofilm are protected from the environment by a layer of slime.

The study found that *A. baumannii* biofilms can survive on dry surfaces for up to four months. The bacteria were able to survive by using the nutrients that were present in the biofilm.

The findings of this study could help to explain how *A. baumannii* is able to spread so easily in hospitals. The bacteria can survive on dry surfaces for long periods of time, which means that they can be easily transferred from one person to another.

The study also suggests that new ways to prevent and treat *A. baumannii* infections are needed. The current methods of cleaning and disinfection are not effective at removing *A. baumannii* biofilms. New methods that target the biofilm matrix may be necessary to prevent and treat *A. baumannii* infections.

Reference

* "Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm formation on dry surfaces," *Applied and Environmental Microbiology*, 2019.