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Induction of human plasmablasts during infection with antibiotic-resistant nosocomial bacteria

Victor I Band1, Chris Ibegbu2, Surinder Pal Kaur2

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA Emory Vaccine Center, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|March 4, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Plasmablasts, a type of immune cell, are induced during infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Acinetobacter baumannii. This finding suggests plasmablasts could be used to create new antibody therapies for untreatable infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance in nosocomial pathogens, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, poses a significant public health challenge.
  • The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains necessitates the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Plasmablasts, transient B cells in circulation, offer a potential source for generating therapeutic antibodies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the induction of plasmablasts during infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and other nosocomial pathogens.
  • To assess the potential of plasmablasts as a target for novel antibody-based therapies against resistant infections.

Main Methods:

  • Blood samples were collected from patients diagnosed with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant nosocomial pathogens.
  • Flow cytometry was employed to analyze and quantify the plasmablast response in patient samples.

Main Results:

  • A significant increase in plasmablast populations was observed in patients infected with antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.
  • Plasmablast induction was also detected in response to other drug-resistant nosocomial pathogens, indicating a broader immune response.

Conclusions:

  • The induction of plasmablasts during infections with various antibiotic-resistant nosocomial pathogens suggests their potential as a universal therapeutic target.
  • These findings support the development of therapeutic antibodies derived from plasmablasts to address currently untreatable bacterial infections.
Keywords:
Acinetobacter baumanniiantibody therapynosocomial infections

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