1
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Lucidi M, Visaggio D, Migliaccio A, Capecchi G, Visca P, Imperi F, Zarrilli R. Pathogenicity and virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii: Factors contributing to the fitness in healthcare settings and the infected host. Virulence 2024; 15:2289769. [PMID: 38054753 PMCID: PMC10732645 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2289769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a common cause of healthcare-associated infections and hospital outbreaks, particularly in intensive care units. Much of the success of A. baumannii relies on its genomic plasticity, which allows rapid adaptation to adversity and stress. The capacity to acquire novel antibiotic resistance determinants and the tolerance to stresses encountered in the hospital environment promote A. baumannii spread among patients and long-term contamination of the healthcare setting. This review explores virulence factors and physiological traits contributing to A. baumannii infection and adaptation to the hospital environment. Several cell-associated and secreted virulence factors involved in A. baumannii biofilm formation, cell adhesion, invasion, and persistence in the host, as well as resistance to xeric stress imposed by the healthcare settings, are illustrated to give reasons for the success of A. baumannii as a hospital pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Lucidi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Visaggio
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Paolo Visca
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Imperi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Zarrilli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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2
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Bagińska N, Grygiel I, Orwat F, Harhala MA, Jędrusiak A, Gębarowska E, Letkiewicz S, Górski A, Jończyk-Matysiak E. Stability study in selected conditions and biofilm-reducing activity of phages active against drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4285. [PMID: 38383718 PMCID: PMC10881977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54469-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is currently a serious threat to human health, especially to people with immunodeficiency as well as patients with prolonged hospital stays and those undergoing invasive medical procedures. The ever-increasing percentage of strains characterized by multidrug resistance to widely used antibiotics and their ability to form biofilms make it difficult to fight infections with traditional antibiotic therapy. In view of the above, phage therapy seems to be extremely attractive. Therefore, phages with good storage stability are recommended for therapeutic purposes. In this work, we present the results of studies on the stability of 12 phages specific for A. baumannii under different conditions (including temperature, different pH values, commercially available disinfectants, essential oils, and surfactants) and in the urine of patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Based on our long-term stability studies, the most optimal storage method for the A. baumannii phage turned out to be - 70 °C. In contrast, 60 °C caused a significant decrease in phage activity after 1 h of incubation. The tested phages were the most stable at a pH from 7.0 to 9.0, with the most inactivating pH being strongly acidic. Interestingly, ethanol-based disinfectants caused a significant decrease in phage titers even after 30 s of incubation. Moreover, copper and silver nanoparticle solutions also caused a decrease in phage titers (which was statistically significant, except for the Acba_3 phage incubated in silver solution), but to a much lesser extent than disinfectants. However, bacteriophages incubated for 24 h in essential oils (cinnamon and eucalyptus) can be considered stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Bagińska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ilona Grygiel
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Filip Orwat
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marek Adam Harhala
- Laboratory of Phage Molecular Biology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Adam Jędrusiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Gębarowska
- Division of Biogeochemistry and Environmental Microbiology, Department of Plant Protection, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzka 53, 50-357, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej Górski
- Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland.
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3
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Bae JY, Yun I, Jun KI, Kim CJ, Lee M, Choi HJ. Association between Pneumonia Development and Virulence Gene Expression in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Clinical Specimens. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY = JOURNAL CANADIEN DES MALADIES INFECTIEUSES ET DE LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE 2023; 2023:8265683. [PMID: 38156310 PMCID: PMC10754638 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8265683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the virulence gene expression of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (CRAB) isolated from the respiratory samples of patients with CRAB pneumonia and those with CRAB colonization to identify the virulence genes contributing to CRAB pneumonia's development and mortality. Patients with CRAB identified from respiratory specimens were screened at a tertiary university hospital between January 2018 and January 2019. Patients were classified into CRAB pneumonia or CRAB colonization groups according to predefined clinical criteria. A. baumannii isolated from respiratory specimens was examined for the expression levels of ompA, uspA, hfq, hisF, feoA, and bfnL by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Among 156 patients with CRAB from respiratory specimens, 17 and 24 met the criteria for inclusion in the pneumonia and colonization groups, respectively. The expression level of ompA was significantly higher in the pneumonia group than in the colonization group (1.45 vs. 0.63, P=0.03). The expression levels of ompA (1.97 vs. 0.86, P=0.02), hisF (1.06 vs. 0.10, P < 0.01), uspA (1.62 vs. 1.01, P < 0.01), and bfnL (3.14 vs. 2.14, P=0.03) were significantly higher in patients with 30-day mortality than in the surviving patients. Elevated expression of hisF (adjusted odds ratio = 5.93, P=0.03) and uspA (adjusted odds ratio = 7.36, P=0.02) were associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for age and the Charlson score. uspA and hisF may serve as putative targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yun Bae
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ina Yun
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Il Jun
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung-Jong Kim
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miae Lee
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jung Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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4
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Maure A, Robino E, Van der Henst C. The intracellular life of Acinetobacter baumannii. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:1238-1250. [PMID: 37487768 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium responsible for nosocomial and community-acquired infections. This pathogen is globally disseminated and associated with high levels of antibiotic resistance, which makes it an important threat to human health. Recently, new evidence showed that several A. baumannii isolates can survive and proliferate within eukaryotic professional and/or nonprofessional phagocytic cells, with in vivo consequences. This review provides updated information and describes the tools that A. baumannii possesses to adhere, colonize, and replicate in host cells. Additionally, we emphasize the high genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity detected amongst A. baumannii isolates and its impact on the bacterial intracellular features. We also discuss the need for standardized methods to characterize this pathogen robustly and consequently consider some strains as facultative intracellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Maure
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Brussels, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Etienne Robino
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Brussels, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charles Van der Henst
- Microbial Resistance and Drug Discovery, VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Brussels, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
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5
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Zgurskaya HI, Adamiak JW, Leus IV. Making sense of drug-efflux transporters in the physiological environment. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 69:102179. [PMID: 35882103 PMCID: PMC9942525 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial drug-efflux transporters act synergistically with diffusion barriers of cellular membranes and other resistance mechanisms to protect cells from antibiotics and toxic metabolites. Their critical roles in clinical antibiotic and multidrug resistance are well established. In addition, a large body of evidence has been accumulated in support of their important contributions to bacterial growth and proliferation during infections. However, how these diverse functions of drug transporters are integrated at the level of bacterial cell physiology remains unclear. This opinion briefly summarizes the current understanding of substrate specificities and physiological roles of drug-efflux pumps from Resistance-Nodulation-Division (RND) superfamily of proteins in two ESKAPE pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Based on the analysis of phenotypic and transcriptomic studies in vitro and in vivo, we propose that RND pumps of Gram-negative bacteria fall into three categories: constitutively expressed, regulated, and silent. These three categories of efflux pumps participate in different physiological programs, which are not involved in the central metabolism and bacterial growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen I Zgurskaya
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73072, USA.
| | - Justyna W Adamiak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73072, USA
| | - Inga V Leus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73072, USA
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6
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Acinetobacter Baumannii: More Ways to Die. Microbiol Res 2022; 261:127069. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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7
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Zhao Y, Liu Y, Li N, Muhammad M, Gong S, Ju J, Cai T, Wang J, Zhao B, Liu D. Significance of broad-spectrum racemases for the viability and pathogenicity of Aeromonas hydrophila. Future Microbiol 2022; 17:251-265. [PMID: 35152710 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To investigate the function of broad-spectrum racemases in Aeromonas hydrophila (BsrA). Results: The A. hydrophila gene encoding BsrA (bsr) mutants (AHΔbsr) exhibited a significant decrease in growth, motility, extracellular protease production and biofilm formation compared with the wild-type. Furthermore, bsr gene knockout instigated cell wall damage compared with the wild-type strains. The survival rate and replication capability in the blood and organs of the AHΔbsr-infected mice were significantly decreased. The degree of tissue injury in the AHΔbsr-infected group was lower than that of the wild-type-infected group. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the expression of 12 AHΔbsr virulence genes. Conclusion: The bsr gene is essential for the viability and virulence of A. hydrophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Yaoyao Liu
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Murtala Muhammad
- Department of Biochemistry, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, 713281, Nigeria
| | - Siyu Gong
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Jiansong Ju
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Tongxuan Cai
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Jialu Wang
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Baohua Zhao
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Dong Liu
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
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8
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Conde-Pérez K, Vázquez-Ucha JC, Álvarez-Fraga L, Ageitos L, Rumbo-Feal S, Martínez-Guitián M, Trigo-Tasende N, Rodríguez J, Bou G, Jiménez C, Beceiro A, Poza M. In-Depth Analysis of the Role of the Acinetobactin Cluster in the Virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:752070. [PMID: 34675911 PMCID: PMC8524058 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.752070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant pathogen that represents a serious threat to global health. A. baumannii possesses a wide range of virulence factors that contribute to the bacterial pathogenicity. Among them, the siderophore acinetobactin is one of the most important, being essential for the development of the infection. In this study we performed an in-depth analysis of the acinetobactin cluster in the strain A. baumannii ATCC 17978. For this purpose, nineteen individual isogenic mutant strains were generated, and further phenotypical analysis were performed. Individual mutants lacking the biosynthetic genes entA, basG, basC, basD, and basB showed a significant loss in virulence, due to the disruption in the acinetobactin production. Similarly, the gene bauA, coding for the acinetobactin receptor, was also found to be crucial for the bacterial pathogenesis. In addition, the analysis of the ΔbasJ/ΔfbsB double mutant strain demonstrated the high level of genetic redundancy between siderophores where the role of specific genes of the acinetobactin cluster can be fulfilled by their fimsbactin redundant genes. Overall, this study highlights the essential role of entA, basG, basC, basD, basB and bauA in the pathogenicity of A. baumannii and provides potential therapeutic targets for the design of new antivirulence agents against this microorganism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Conde-Pérez
- Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain.,Microbiome and Health, Faculty of Science, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Juan C Vázquez-Ucha
- Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Laura Álvarez-Fraga
- Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lucía Ageitos
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA) y Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Agrupación Estratégica CICA-INIBIC, Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Soraya Rumbo-Feal
- Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain.,Microbiome and Health, Faculty of Science, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Marta Martínez-Guitián
- Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Noelia Trigo-Tasende
- Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Jaime Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA) y Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Agrupación Estratégica CICA-INIBIC, Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Germán Bou
- Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Carlos Jiménez
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA) y Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Agrupación Estratégica CICA-INIBIC, Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Alejandro Beceiro
- Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Margarita Poza
- Servicio de Microbiología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain.,Microbiome and Health, Faculty of Science, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
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Kumar S, Anwer R, Azzi A. Virulence Potential and Treatment Options of Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102104. [PMID: 34683425 PMCID: PMC8541637 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen which is undoubtedly known for a high rate of morbidity and mortality in hospital-acquired infections. A. baumannii causes life-threatening infections, including; ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), meningitis, bacteremia, and wound and urinary tract infections (UTI). In 2017, the World Health Organization listed A. baumannii as a priority-1 pathogen. The prevalence of A. baumannii infections and outbreaks emphasizes the direct need for the use of effective therapeutic agents for treating such infections. Available antimicrobials, such as; carbapenems, tigecycline, and colistins have insufficient effectiveness due to the appearance of multidrug-resistant strains, accentuating the need for alternative and novel therapeutic remedies. To understand and overcome this menace, the knowledge of recent discoveries on the virulence factors of A. baumannii is needed. Herein, we summarized the role of various virulence factors, including; outer membrane proteins, efflux pumps, biofilm, penicillin-binding proteins, and siderophores/iron acquisition systems. We reviewed the recent scientific literature on different A. baumannii virulence factors and the effective antimicrobial agents for the treatment and management of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Ambala 133207, India;
| | - Razique Anwer
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13317-4233, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Arezki Azzi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13317-4233, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence:
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10
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Pimentel C, Le C, Tuttobene MR, Subils T, Martinez J, Sieira R, Papp-Wallace KM, Keppetipola N, Bonomo RA, Actis LA, Tolmasky ME, Ramirez MS. Human Pleural Fluid and Human Serum Albumin Modulate the Behavior of a Hypervirulent and Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii Representative Strain. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10040471. [PMID: 33924559 PMCID: PMC8069197 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen capable of causing serious infections associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Due to its antimicrobial drug resistance profile, A. baumannii is categorized as an urgent priority pathogen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States and a priority group 1 critical microorganism by the World Health Organization. Understanding how A. baumannii adapts to different host environments may provide critical insights into strategically targeting this pathogen with novel antimicrobial and biological therapeutics. Exposure to human fluids was previously shown to alter the gene expression profile of a highly drug-susceptible A. baumannii strain A118 leading to persistence and survival of this pathogen. Herein, we explore the impact of human pleural fluid (HPF) and human serum albumin (HSA) on the gene expression profile of a highly multi-drug-resistant strain of A. baumannii AB5075. Differential expression was observed for ~30 genes, whose products are involved in quorum sensing, quorum quenching, iron acquisition, fatty acid metabolism, biofilm formation, secretion systems, and type IV pilus formation. Phenotypic and further transcriptomic analysis using quantitative RT-PCR confirmed RNA-seq data and demonstrated a distinctive role of HSA as the molecule involved in A. baumannii’s response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Pimentel
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831-3599, USA; (C.P.); (C.L.); (M.R.T.); (J.M.); (M.E.T.)
| | - Casin Le
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831-3599, USA; (C.P.); (C.L.); (M.R.T.); (J.M.); (M.E.T.)
| | - Marisel R. Tuttobene
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831-3599, USA; (C.P.); (C.L.); (M.R.T.); (J.M.); (M.E.T.)
| | - Tomas Subils
- Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos de Rosario (IPROBYQ, CONICET-UNR), Rosario S2002LRK, Argentina;
| | - Jasmine Martinez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831-3599, USA; (C.P.); (C.L.); (M.R.T.); (J.M.); (M.E.T.)
| | - Rodrigo Sieira
- Fundación Instituto Leloir—IIBBA CONICET, Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina;
| | - Krisztina M. Papp-Wallace
- Research Service and GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (K.M.P.-W.); (R.A.B.)
- Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Biochemistry, Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- CWRU-Cleveland VAMC Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Epidemiology (Case VA CARES), Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Niroshika Keppetipola
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831-3599, USA;
| | - Robert A. Bonomo
- Research Service and GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (K.M.P.-W.); (R.A.B.)
- Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Biochemistry, Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- CWRU-Cleveland VAMC Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Epidemiology (Case VA CARES), Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Luis A. Actis
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA;
| | - Marcelo E. Tolmasky
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831-3599, USA; (C.P.); (C.L.); (M.R.T.); (J.M.); (M.E.T.)
| | - Maria Soledad Ramirez
- Center for Applied Biotechnology Studies, Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831-3599, USA; (C.P.); (C.L.); (M.R.T.); (J.M.); (M.E.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-657-278-4562
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Oliveira F, Rohde H, Vilanova M, Cerca N. The Emerging Role of Iron Acquisition in Biofilm-Associated Infections. Trends Microbiol 2021; 29:772-775. [PMID: 33707049 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A possible association between iron and biofilm formation has been explored for a long time. Here, we focus on major recent advances that shed light on the mechanisms behind this relationship and discuss how siderophore-mediated iron acquisition may impact the virulence of important nosocomial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Oliveira
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Holger Rohde
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Virologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manuel Vilanova
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; IBMC, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS-UP, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Cerca
- Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
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Ramezanalizadeh F, Rasooli I, Owlia P. Protective response against Acinetobacter baumannii with ferric iron receptors HemTR-BauA in a murine sepsis model. Future Microbiol 2021; 16:143-157. [PMID: 33528272 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2020-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Iron uptake and metabolism pathways are promising targets in vaccine development as an alternative strategy for antibiotics. Methods & methods: HemTR, a putative heme receptor of Acinetobacter baumannii, was expressed and its protectivity against A. baumannii was determined singly or in combination with the siderophore receptor, BauA, in mice. Results: High level of IgG was elicited. There was a delay in mice mortality with reduced bacterial loads in internal organs in the sublethal challenge. Protection was better in the HemTR-BauA group in both lethal and sublethal challenges. Passive transfer of anti-HemTR and anti-BauA partially protected mice against A. baumannii infection. Conclusion: HemTR in combination with other iron receptors could contribute to the development of protective vaccines against A. baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iraj Rasooli
- Department of Biology, Molecular Microbiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, 3319118651, Iran
| | - Parviz Owlia
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, 3319118651, Iran
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Dollery SJ, Zurawski DV, Gaidamakova EK, Matrosova VY, Tobin JK, Wiggins TJ, Bushnell RV, MacLeod DA, Alamneh YA, Abu-Taleb R, Escatte MG, Meeks HN, Daly MJ, Tobin GJ. Radiation-Inactivated Acinetobacter baumannii Vaccine Candidates. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020096. [PMID: 33514059 PMCID: PMC7912630 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a bacterial pathogen that is often multidrug-resistant (MDR) and causes a range of life-threatening illnesses, including pneumonia, septicemia, and wound infections. Some antibiotic treatments can reduce mortality if dosed early enough before an infection progresses, but there are few other treatment options when it comes to MDR-infection. Although several prophylactic strategies have been assessed, no vaccine candidates have advanced to clinical trials or have been approved. Herein, we rapidly produced protective whole-cell immunogens from planktonic and biofilm-like cultures of A. baumannii, strain AB5075 grown using a variety of methods. After selecting a panel of five cultures based on distinct protein profiles, replicative activity was extinguished by exposure to 10 kGy gamma radiation in the presence of a Deinococcus antioxidant complex composed of manganous (Mn2+) ions, a decapeptide, and orthophosphate. Mn2+ antioxidants prevent hydroxylation and carbonylation of irradiated proteins, but do not protect nucleic acids, yielding replication-deficient immunogenic A. baumannii vaccine candidates. Mice were immunized and boosted twice with 1.0 × 107 irradiated bacterial cells and then challenged intranasally with AB5075 using two mouse models. Planktonic cultures grown for 16 h in rich media and biofilm cultures grown in static cultures underneath minimal (M9) media stimulated immunity that led to 80–100% protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Dollery
- Biological Mimetics, Inc., 124 Byte Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.K.T.); (T.J.W.); (R.V.B.); (D.A.M.); (G.J.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniel V. Zurawski
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (D.V.Z.); (Y.A.A.); (R.A.-T.); (M.G.E.)
| | - Elena K. Gaidamakova
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (E.K.G.); (V.Y.M.); (M.J.D.)
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Vera Y. Matrosova
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (E.K.G.); (V.Y.M.); (M.J.D.)
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - John K. Tobin
- Biological Mimetics, Inc., 124 Byte Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.K.T.); (T.J.W.); (R.V.B.); (D.A.M.); (G.J.T.)
| | - Taralyn J. Wiggins
- Biological Mimetics, Inc., 124 Byte Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.K.T.); (T.J.W.); (R.V.B.); (D.A.M.); (G.J.T.)
| | - Ruth V. Bushnell
- Biological Mimetics, Inc., 124 Byte Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.K.T.); (T.J.W.); (R.V.B.); (D.A.M.); (G.J.T.)
| | - David A. MacLeod
- Biological Mimetics, Inc., 124 Byte Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.K.T.); (T.J.W.); (R.V.B.); (D.A.M.); (G.J.T.)
| | - Yonas A. Alamneh
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (D.V.Z.); (Y.A.A.); (R.A.-T.); (M.G.E.)
| | - Rania Abu-Taleb
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (D.V.Z.); (Y.A.A.); (R.A.-T.); (M.G.E.)
| | - Mariel G. Escatte
- Wound Infections Department, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (D.V.Z.); (Y.A.A.); (R.A.-T.); (M.G.E.)
| | | | - Michael J. Daly
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (E.K.G.); (V.Y.M.); (M.J.D.)
| | - Gregory J. Tobin
- Biological Mimetics, Inc., 124 Byte Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.K.T.); (T.J.W.); (R.V.B.); (D.A.M.); (G.J.T.)
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