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Updated: Jul 5, 2025
Rapid and Specific Detection of Acinetobacter baumannii Infections Using a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification/Cas12a-based System
Published on: April 25, 2025
The CRISPR-Cas system in clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii: an in-silico analysis
Arturo Martínez-Trejo1, Juan Manuel Ruiz-Ruiz2, Luis Uriel Gonzalez-Avila1
1Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico.
Abstract:
Acinetobacter baumannii is a relevant bacterium due to its high-resistance profile. It is well known that antimicrobial resistance is primarily linked to mutations and the acquisition of external genomic material, such as plasmids or phages, to which the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats associated with Cas proteins, or CRISPR-Cas, system is related. It is known that the system can influence the acquisition of foreign genetic material and play a role in various physiological pathways. In this study, we conducted an in-silico analysis using 91 fully assembled genomes of clinical strains obtained from the NCBI database. Among the analyzed genomes, the I-F1 subtype of the CRISPR-Cas system was detected showcasing variations in architecture and phylogeny. Using bioinformatic tools, we determined the presence, distribution, and specific characteristics of the CRISPR-Cas system. We found a possible association of the system with resistance genes but not with virulence determinants. Analysis of the system's components, including spacer sequences, suggests its potential role in protecting against phage infections, highlighting its protective function.
Insights
The CRISPR-Cas system in Acinetobacter baumannii may help it resist phages. This study analyzed genomes, finding the CRISPR-Cas system potentially linked to resistance genes but not virulence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Acinetobacter baumannii exhibits high antimicrobial resistance, often linked to genetic material acquisition.
- The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas system is involved in managing foreign genetic elements and influences bacterial physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence, distribution, and characteristics of the CRISPR-Cas system in clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii.
- To explore the potential association of the CRISPR-Cas system with antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes.
Main Methods:
- In-silico analysis of 91 fully assembled Acinetobacter baumannii genomes from the NCBI database.
- Bioinformatic tools were employed to identify and characterize CRISPR-Cas system subtypes, architecture, and phylogeny.
- Analysis of spacer sequences and correlation with resistance and virulence genes.
Main Results:
- The I-F1 subtype of the CRISPR-Cas system was identified across the analyzed genomes, with variations in its architecture and phylogeny.
- A potential association was observed between the CRISPR-Cas system and antimicrobial resistance genes.
- No significant association was found between the CRISPR-Cas system and virulence determinants.
- Spacer sequence analysis suggested a role in protection against phage infections.
Conclusions:
- The CRISPR-Cas system, specifically the I-F1 subtype, is present and variable in clinical Acinetobacter baumannii strains.
- The system may play a protective role against phage infections and is potentially linked to antimicrobial resistance.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and implications of the CRISPR-Cas system in Acinetobacter baumannii pathogenesis and resistance.
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