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We examined the clinical and epidemiological features of nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Acinetobacter species and observed from 1 March 1995 through 28 February 1998 at 49 United States hospitals (SCOPE National Surveillance Program). Acinetobacter species were found in 24 hospitals (49%) and accounted for 1.5% of all nosocomial BSIs reported. One hundred twenty-nine isolates were identified either as A. baumannii (n = 111) or other Acinetobacter species (n = 18). Patients with A. baumannii BSI, compared with patients with nosocomial BSI caused by other gram-negative pathogens, were more frequently observed in the intensive care unit (69% vs. 47%, respectively; P < .001; odds ratio [OR] 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–3.7) and were more frequently receiving mechanical ventilation (58% vs. 30%, respectively; P < .001; OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.1–4.8). Crude mortality in …