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Author Spotlight: A Comprehensive Protocol for Acinetobacter Biofilm Quantification, Assessment, and Visualization
Published on: August 4, 2023
Competence for Natural Transformation Is Common among Clinical Strains of Resistant Acinetobacter spp
Sara Domingues1,2, Natasha Rosário3, Ângela Cândido4
1Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-458 Coimbra, Portugal. saradomingues@ff.uc.pt.
Natural transformation, a key gene transfer mechanism, is common in clinical Acinetobacter species. This competence facilitates the spread of antimicrobial resistance, impacting treatment strategies for bacterial infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) drives antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dissemination.
- Conjugation is a primary HGT mechanism, but doesn't explain all AMR patterns.
- Natural transformation is a known HGT route in some bacteria, including Acinetobacter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of natural competence in clinical Acinetobacter isolates.
- To investigate the role of natural transformation in AMR acquisition in Acinetobacter.
Main Methods:
- Tested 22 clinical Acinetobacter isolates from Portuguese hospitals for natural transformability.
- Utilized semisolid media promoting surface-motility to detect competence.
- Investigated the effect of osmolarity on DNA uptake in a competent isolate (A. baumannii A118).
Main Results:
- Fourteen (64%) of the 22 clinical Acinetobacter isolates were naturally competent.
- Competent isolates included Acinetobacter baumannii, Acinetobacter nosocomialis, and other Acinetobacter species.
- Natural competence was detected across all five hospitals, indicating widespread occurrence.
- Osmolarity influenced exogenous DNA uptake in competent Acinetobacter baumannii.
Conclusions:
- Natural competence is a prevalent trait among clinical Acinetobacter isolates.
- This widespread competence suggests natural transformation is a significant factor in AMR acquisition and dissemination within Acinetobacter populations.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering natural transformation in understanding and combating AMR in Acinetobacter infections.
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