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Author Spotlight: Advancing Antibiotic Resistance Research Using an Efflux-Deficient Bacterial Strain and a Single-Copy Gene Expression System
Published on: January 5, 2024
Genomic Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance of Acinetobacter sp.-A Pan Genome Analysis
R Shobana Manoharan1, K Raghavan2, M Jayalakshmi1
1Department of Immunology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021 India.
Abstract:
Acinetobacter baumannii has been associated with severe clinically acquired infections. The prevalence of non-A. baumannii-linked diseases is now equivalent to that of A. baumannii-associated illnesses. Hence, this study intends to explore the genomic linkage of virulence and antibiotic resistance amongst the five Acinetobacter spp. (A. baumannii, A. haemolyticus, A. johnsonni, and A. nosocomialis) using pan genome analysis. The results revealed open pan genome in Acinetobacter sp. with increase in number of additional genes in pan genome. The resistance gene identifier revealed that A. baumannii was resistant to macrolides, fluoroquinolone, lincosamide, carbapenem, cephalosporin, tetracycline, rifamycin, diaminopyrimidine, phenicol antibiotics, and penem. Non-A. baumannii sp. A. haemolyticus had the Oxa beta lactamase gene (Oxa) with resistance to carbapenem, cephalosporin, penem. A. johnsonii had no perfect hits for resistance but showed weak similarity to Oxa. A. nosocomialis had resistance genes to fluoroquinoids. The prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii AbaQ gene was found with A. calcoaceticus and A. nosocomialis sequences used in this study supporting the transformation of resistance genes between Acinetobacter sp. This comparative research underlines the need of differentiating between distinct Acinetobacter sp. infections with their genetic profile for accurate diagnosis and management based on their anti microbial resistance.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-024-01411-6.
Insights
Genomic analysis reveals that Acinetobacter species share virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. Differentiating between Acinetobacter species is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of infections.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections.
- Non-baumannii Acinetobacter species are increasingly implicated in clinical diseases.
- Understanding the genetic basis of virulence and resistance across Acinetobacter species is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genomic linkage of virulence and antibiotic resistance among five Acinetobacter species.
- To compare the genetic profiles of Acinetobacter baumannii, A. haemolyticus, A. johnsonii, A. nosocomialis, and A. calcoaceticus.
Main Methods:
- Pan-genome analysis was employed to explore the genomic content of the Acinetobacter species.
- Resistance gene identification was performed using specialized bioinformatics tools.
Main Results:
- An open pan-genome was observed in Acinetobacter species, indicating a high degree of genetic variability.
- Acinetobacter baumannii exhibited resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, including macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems.
- Non-baumannii species showed varying resistance profiles, with A. haemolyticus possessing the Oxa beta-lactamase gene and A. nosocomialis having fluoroquinolone resistance genes. The AbaQ gene was found in A. calcoaceticus and A. nosocomialis, suggesting horizontal gene transfer.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the potential for gene transfer of antibiotic resistance among Acinetobacter species.
- Distinguishing between different Acinetobacter species based on their genetic profiles is critical for effective clinical management.
- Accurate diagnosis and targeted antimicrobial therapy are necessary for combating Acinetobacter-associated infections.
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