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Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...

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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Anti-virulent Disruption of Pathogenic Biofilms using Engineered Quorum-quenching Lactonases

Anti-virulent Disruption of Pathogenic Biofilms using Engineered Quorum-quenching Lactonases

Published on: January 1, 2016

Quorum sensing in Acinetobacter: an emerging pathogen.

Nidhi Bhargava¹, Prince Sharma, Neena Capalash

¹Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.

Critical Reviews in Microbiology

|September 18, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Acinetobacter infections are a growing threat due to drug resistance. Quorum sensing genes in Acinetobacter baumannii were acquired horizontally, offering potential targets for novel treatments like quorum quenching.

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Quantification, Viability Assessment, and Visualization Strategies for Acinetobacter Biofilms

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Published on: August 4, 2023

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Anti-virulent Disruption of Pathogenic Biofilms using Engineered Quorum-quenching Lactonases

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Quantification, Viability Assessment, and Visualization Strategies for Acinetobacter Biofilms

Quantification, Viability Assessment, and Visualization Strategies for Acinetobacter Biofilms

Published on: August 4, 2023

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Infectious Diseases
Genetics

Background:

Acinetobacter poses a significant threat as a nosocomial pathogen.
Its virulence is enhanced by desiccation tolerance and multidrug resistance.
Quorum sensing is implicated in Acinetobacter biofilm formation, but its broader role in virulence is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of quorum sensing in Acinetobacter virulence.
To explore the evolutionary origins of quorum sensing genes in Acinetobacter baumannii.
To discuss the potential of quorum quenching as an anti-infective strategy.

Main Methods:

Phylogenetic analysis to determine evolutionary relationships.
Examination of quorum sensing gene acquisition in Acinetobacter baumannii.
Review of quorum quenching strategies for controlling Acinetobacter infections.

Main Results:

Acinetobacter baumannii shares phylogenetic similarities with Burkholderia ambifaria.
Quorum sensing genes (abaI and abaR) in A. baumannii were acquired horizontally from Halothiobacillus neapolitanus.
The study highlights the potential of targeting quorum sensing pathways.

Conclusions:

Horizontal gene transfer played a role in the evolution of Acinetobacter virulence.
Quorum quenching presents a promising avenue for combating Acinetobacter infections.
Further research into quorum sensing mechanisms could yield new therapeutic interventions.