The origin of Acinetobacter baumannii TYTH-1: a comparative genomics study
Chih-Chin Liu1, Chuan Yi Tang, Han-Yueh Kuo
1Department of Bioinformatics, Chung Hua University, Hsin-Chu City, Taiwan.
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|February 14, 2013
Summary
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) strains carrying bla(OXA-23) became dominant in Taiwan in 2007. Genomic analysis suggests their spread may be linked to travel between Taiwan and China.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections pose a significant public health threat globally and in Taiwan.
- Increasing reports of bla(OXA-23)-carrying CRAB strains necessitate understanding their origin and dissemination.
Observation:
- A retrospective analysis of CRAB prevalence in a regional hospital was conducted.
- The genome of Acinetobacter baumannii TYTH-1 was fully sequenced and annotated.
- Comparative genomics, including phylogenetic analysis and GC profile variance, was performed on 11 A. baumannii genomes.
Findings:
- bla(OXA-23)-carrying CRAB isolates emerged as dominant clones in Taiwan by 2007.
- Genomic analysis revealed shared strain lineages between Taiwanese and Chinese CRAB isolates.
- While TYTH-1's genome is closest to a Chinese strain (MDR-ZJ06), its resistance island is nearly identical to another Chinese strain (MDR-TJ).
Implications:
- The findings suggest that the dissemination of bla(OXA-23)-carrying CRAB in Taiwan may be associated with population movement between Taiwan and China around 2007.
- This highlights the global challenge of CRAB spread and the need for enhanced surveillance and notification systems for resistant pathogens in Taiwan.
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