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Lineage-Specific Associations between the Resistome and Mobilome across 10,500 Globally Distributed Acinetobacter
Thunchanok Yaikhan1, Sirikan Suwannasin1, Thitaporn Dechathai1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
|June 11, 2026
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii varies across lineages, with plasmid diversity showing a stronger link to acquired resistance than insertion sequences. Genomic surveillance requires considering lineage structure and potential biases.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant hospital-acquired pathogen known for widespread antimicrobial resistance.
- The global relationship between resistance genes, mobile genetic elements, and virulence factors across different bacterial lineages is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the global-scale, lineage-resolved associations between antimicrobial resistance determinants, mobile genetic elements (insertion sequences and plasmids), and virulence factors in Acinetobacter baumannii.
- To determine if resistome burden correlates with mobilome architecture across distinct clonal lineages.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 10,500 high-quality Acinetobacter baumannii genomes using AMRFinder for resistance genes.
- Assessment of insertion sequence (IS) burden, plasmid replicon diversity, and presence of virulence-associated genes.
- Statistical analysis (Spearman correlation) to examine associations between genomic features, including sensitivity analyses to refine resistance burden metrics.
Main Results:
- Acinetobacter baumannii population structure is dominated by a few lineages.
- Modest genome-wide associations were found between total resistance burden, IS burden, and plasmid diversity.
- After filtering for acquired resistance, associations with plasmid diversity strengthened, persisting globally.
- Mobilome features varied significantly across lineages, while virulence gene profiles were more conserved.
Conclusions:
- Genomic variation in Acinetobacter baumannii resistance is structured by bacterial lineages.
- Observed associations are correlative, not necessarily causal, highlighting the need for careful interpretation.
- Plasmid-related features demonstrate a more robust association with acquired resistance burden than IS counts, informing genomic surveillance strategies.
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