The short, pellet-shaped bacterium was originally found in soil and water, but has made its way into the intensive care units of hospitals which house vulnerable patients with low immunity. A. baumannii targets moist tissues, such as mucus membranes and broken skin. Infected areas of the skin will resemble the skin of an orange before turning into blisters.

If left untreated, the infection can lead to blood poisoning and death. The bacterium is also notorious for infecting military personnel injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.