Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Acinetobacter spp. Isolates from Retail Meat Samples under Campylobacter-Selective Conditions

Bacterial and Genetic Features of Raw Retail Pork Meat: Integrative Analysis of Antibiotic Susceptibility, Whole-Genome Sequencing, and Metagenomics

The global antibiotic resistance crisis, driven by overuse and misuse of antibiotics, is multifaceted. This study aimed to assess the microbiological and genetic characteristics of raw retail pork meat through various methods, including the isolation, antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of selected indicator bacteria, antibiotic residue testing, and metagenomic sequencing. Samples were purchased from 10 pre-selected retail stores in Gauteng, South Africa. The samples were aseptically separated, with portions sent to an external laboratory for isolating indicator bacteria and testing for antibiotic residues. Identification of the isolated bacteria was reconfirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). AST was performed using the Microscan Walkaway system (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA). WGS and metagenomic sequencing were performed using the Illumina NextSeq 550 instrument (San Diego, CA, USA). The isolated E. coli and E. faecalis exhibited minimal phenotypic resistance, with WGS revealing the presence of tetracycline resistance genes. Both the isolated bacteria and meat samples harboured tetracycline resistance genes and the antibiotic residue concentrations were within acceptable limits for human consumption. In the metagenomic context, most identified bacteria were of food/meat spoilage and environmental origin. The resistome analysis primarily indicated beta-lactam, tetracycline and multidrug resistance genes. Further research is needed to understand the broader implications of these findings on environmental health and antibiotic resistance.

Formic acid, an organic acid food preservative, induces viable-but-non-culturable state, and triggers new Antimicrobial Resistance traits in Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Numerous human pathogens, especially Gram-negative bacteria, are able to enter the viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC) state when they are exposed to environmental stressors and pose the risk of being resuscitated and causing infection after the removal of the trigger. Widely used food preservatives like weak organic acids are potential VBNC inducers in food processing and packaging facilities but have only been reported for food-borne pathogens. In the present study, it is demonstrated for the first time that one such agent, formic acid (FA), can induce a VBNC state at food processing, storage, and distribution temperatures (4, 25, and 37°C) with a varied time of treatment (days 4-10) in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The use of hospital-associated pathogens is critical based on the earlier reports that demonstrated the presence of these bacteria in hospital kitchens and commonly consumed foods. VBNC induction was validated by multiple parameters, e.g., non-culturability, metabolic activity as energy production, respiratory markers, and membrane integrity. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the removal of FA was able to resuscitate VBNC with an increased expression of multiple virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) genes in both pathogens. Since food additives/preservatives are significantly used in most food manufacturing facilities supplying to hospitals, contamination of these packaged foods with pathogenic bacteria and the consequence of exposure to food additives emerge as pertinent issues for infection control, and control of antimicrobial resistance in the hospital setting.

An Update of Mobile Colistin Resistance in Non-Fermentative Gram-Negative Bacilli

Colistin, the last resort for multidrug and extensively drug-resistant bacterial infection treatment, was reintroduced after being avoided in clinical settings from the 1970s to the 1990s because of its high toxicity. Colistin is considered a crucial treatment option for Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are listed as critical priority pathogens for new antibiotics by the World Health Organization. The resistance mechanisms of colistin are considered to be chromosomally encoded, and no horizontal transfer has been reported. Nevertheless, in November 2015, a transmissible resistance mechanism of colistin, called mobile colistin resistance (MCR), was discovered. Up to ten families with MCR and more than 100 variants of Gram-negative bacteria have been reported worldwide. Even though few have been reported from Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp., it is important to closely monitor the epidemiology of mcr genes in these pathogens. Therefore, this review focuses on the most recent update on colistin resistance and the epidemiology of mcr genes among non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli, especially Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa.

Antibacterial Effect of Chitosan-Modified Fe3O4 Nanozymes on Acinetobacter baumannii

The aim of this study was to determine whether the antibacterial activity of chitosan-modified Fe₃O₄ (CS@Fe₃O₄) nanomaterials against Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is mediated through changes in biofilm formation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. For this purpose, the broth dilution method was used to examine the effect of CS@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on bacterial growth. The effects of CS@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on biofilm formation were measured using a semi-quantitative crystal violet staining assay. In addition, a bacterial ROS detection kit was used to detect the production of ROS in bacteria. The results showed that CS@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles had a significant inhibitory effect on the colony growth and biofilm formation of drug-resistant A. baumannii (p < 0.05). The ROS stress assay revealed significantly higher ROS levels in A. baumannii subjected to CS@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle treatment than the control group (p < 0.05). Thus, we demonstrated for the first time that CS@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles had an inhibitory effect on A. baumannii in vitro, and that the antibacterial effect of CS@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on drug-resistant A. baumannii was more significant than on drug-sensitive bacteria. Our findings suggest that the antibacterial mechanism of CS@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles is mediated through inhibition of biofilm formation in drug-resistant bacteria, as well as stimulation of A. baumannii to produce ROS. In summary, our data indicate that CS@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles could be used to treat infections caused by drug-resistant A. baumannii.