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Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii
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Acinetobacter baumannii: More ways to die

Greater Kayode Oyejobi1, Sunday Olabode Olaniyan2, Nana-Aishat Yusuf2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo 230212, Osun State, Nigeria; Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China; International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Organization of African Academic Doctors, Off Kamiti Road, P.O. Box 25305-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.

Microbiological Research
|May 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

New strategies are needed to combat Acinetobacter baumannii infections. This review covers bacteriophages, phage-antibiotic combinations, and resistance-driven fitness losses as promising treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections globally.
  • Its persistence on surfaces and multi-drug resistance make it a critical threat, especially in intensive care units.
  • Existing therapies are often ineffective against this resilient bacterium.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review novel therapeutic approaches for controlling Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
  • To highlight emerging treatment strategies beyond conventional antibiotics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current and emerging treatment options.
  • Focus on bacteriophage therapy, phage-antibiotic synergy, and exploiting bacterial fitness costs associated with resistance.

Main Results:

  • Bacteriophage therapy, including cocktails, shows potential for targeted bacterial elimination.
  • Combining phages with antibiotics may overcome existing resistance mechanisms.
  • Leveraging resistance-driven fitness losses offers a novel strategy to weaken the pathogen.

Conclusions:

  • Novel treatment modalities are essential to manage Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
  • Bacteriophage-based strategies and understanding resistance mechanisms present viable therapeutic avenues.
  • Further research and development are crucial to expand treatment resources and mitigate the threat of A. baumannii.
Keywords:
Acinetobacter baumanniiAntimicrobial resistanceFitness costsPhage cocktailsPhage resistancePhage-antibiotic combination

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