scholarly journals Colistin heteroresistance and the involvement of the PmrAB regulatory system in Acinetobacter baumannii

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannick Charretier ◽  
Seydina M. Diene ◽  
Damien Baud ◽  
Sonia Chatellier ◽  
Emmanuelle Santiago-Allexant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Regulatory Pathway ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
One Step

AbstractMultidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection has recently emerged as a worldwide clinical problem and colistin is increasingly being used as last resort therapy. Despite its favorable bacterial killing, resistance and heteroresistance to colistin have been described. Mutations in the PmrAB regulatory pathway have been already associated with colistin resistance whereas the mechanisms for heteroresistance remain largely unknown. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of PmrAB in laboratory-selected mutants representative of global epidemic strains. During brief colistin exposure, colistin resistant and colistin heteroresistant mutants were selected in a one-step strategy. Population Analysis Profiling (PAP) was performed to confirm the suspected phenotype. Upon withdrawal of selective pressure, compensatory mutations were evaluated in another one-step strategy. A trans-complementation assay was designed to delineate the involvement of the PmrAB regulatory system using qPCR and PAP. Mutations in the PmrAB regulatory pathway were associated with colistin resistance and colistin heteroresistance as well. The transcomplementation assay provides a proof for the role played by changes in the PmrAB regulatory pathway. The level of colistin resistance is correlated to the level of expression of pmrC. The resistance phenotype was partially restored since the complemented strain became heteroresistant. This report shows the role of different mutations in the PmrAB regulatory pathway and warns on the development of colistin heteroresistance that could be present but not easily detected with routine testing.

scholarly journals Colistin Heteroresistance and Involvement of the PmrAB Regulatory System inAcinetobacter baumannii

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannick Charretier ◽  
Seydina M. Diene ◽  
Damien Baud ◽  
Sonia Chatellier ◽  
Emmanuelle Santiago-Allexant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Analysis ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Compensatory Mutation ◽  
Regulatory Pathway ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTMultidrug-resistantAcinetobacter baumanniiinfection has recently emerged as a worldwide clinical problem, and colistin is increasingly being used as a last-resort therapy. Despite its favorable bacterial killing, resistance and heteroresistance (HR) to colistin have been described. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of the PmrAB regulatory pathway in laboratory-selected mutants representative of global epidemic strains. From three unrelatedA. baumanniiclinical strains (sequence types 2, 3, and 20), eight colistin-resistant mutants were selected. Half of the mutants showed HR to colistin according to the reference method (population analysis profiling), whereas the other half exhibited stable resistance. M12I mutation withinpmrAand M308R, S144KLAGS, and P170L mutations forpmrBwere associated with HR to colistin, while T235I, A226T, and P233S mutations withinpmrBwere associated with stable resistance. The transcript levels of thepmrCABoperon were upregulated in all the mutants. Compensatory mutations were explored for some mutants. A single mutant (T235I mutant) displayed a compensatory mutation through ISAba1mobilization within thepmrBgene that was associated with the loss of colistin resistance. The mutant resistance phenotype associated with T235I was partially restored in atrans-complementation assay turning to HR. The level of colistin resistance was correlated with the level of expression ofpmrCin thetrans-complemented strains. This report shows the role of different mutations in the PmrAB regulatory pathway and warns of the development of colistin HR that could be present but not easily detected through routine testing.

scholarly journals Synergistic Activity of Colistin and Rifampin Combination against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in anIn VitroPharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 3738-3745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Ji Lee ◽  
Phillip J. Bergen ◽  
Jurgen B. Bulitta ◽  
Brian Tsuji ◽  
Alan Forrest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Inoculum ◽  
Combination Regimens

ABSTRACTCombination therapy may be required for multidrug-resistant (MDR)Acinetobacter baumannii. This study systematically investigated bacterial killing and emergence of colistin resistance with colistin and rifampin combinations against MDRA. baumannii. Studies were conducted over 72 h in anin vitropharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) model at inocula of ∼106and ∼108CFU/ml using two MDR clinical isolates ofA. baumannii, FADDI-AB030 (colistin susceptible) and FADDI-AB156 (colistin resistant). Three combination regimens achieving clinically relevant concentrations (constant colistin concentration of 0.5, 2, or 5 mg/liter and a rifampin maximum concentration [Cmax] of 5 mg/liter every 24 hours; half-life, 3 h) were investigated. Microbiological response was measured by serial bacterial counts. Population analysis profiles assessed emergence of colistin resistance. Against both isolates, combinations resulted in substantially greater killing at the low inoculum; combinations containing 2 and 5 mg/liter colistin increased killing at the high inoculum. Combinations were additive or synergistic at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h with all colistin concentrations against FADDI-AB030 and FADDI-AB156 in, respectively, 8 and 11 of 12 cases (i.e., all 3 combinations) at the 106-CFU/ml inoculum and 8 and 7 of 8 cases with the 2- and 5-mg/liter colistin regimens at the 108-CFU/ml inoculum. For FADDI-AB156, killing by the combination was ∼2.5 to 7.5 and ∼2.5 to 5 log10CFU/ml greater at the low inoculum (all colistin concentrations) and high inoculum (2 and 5 mg/liter colistin), respectively. Emergence of colistin-resistant subpopulations was completely suppressed in the colistin-susceptible isolate with all combinations at both inocula. Our study provides important information for optimizing colistin-rifampin combinations against colistin-susceptible and -resistant MDRA. baumannii.

scholarly journals Colistin Resistance Onset Strategies and Genomic Mosaicism in Clinical Acinetobacter baumannii Lineages

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1516
Author(s):  
Viviana Cafiso ◽  
Stefano Stracquadanio ◽  
Veronica Dovere ◽  
Flavia Lo Verde ◽  
Alessandra Zega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Phenotypic Stability ◽  
Adaptive Resistance ◽  
Genomic Epidemiology ◽  
Genomic Complexity ◽  
Phylogenetic Lineages

The treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections is based on colistin. As result, COL-resistance (COL-R) can develop and spread. In Acinetobacter baumannii, a crucial step is to understand COL-R onset and stability, still far to be elucidated. COL-R phenotypic stability, onset modalities, and phylogenomics were investigated in a clinical A. baumannii sample showing a COL resistant (COLR) phenotype at first isolation. COL-R was confirmed by Minimum-Inhibitory-Concentrations as well as investigated by Resistance-Induction assays and Population-Analysis-Profiles (PAPs) to determine: (i) stability; (ii) inducibility; (iii) heteroresistance. Genomics was performed by Mi-Seq Whole-Genome-Sequencing, Phylogenesis, and Genomic Epidemiology by bioinformatics. COLRA. baumannii were subdivided as follows: (i) 3 A. baumannii with stable and high COL MICs defining the “homogeneous-resistant” onset phenotype; (ii) 6 A. baumannii with variable and lower COL MICs displaying a “COL-inducible” onset phenotype responsible for adaptive-resistance or a “subpopulation” onset phenotype responsible for COL-heteroresistance. COL-R stability and onset strategies were not uniquely linked to the amount of LPS and cell envelope charge. Phylogenomics categorized 3 lineages clustering stable and/or unstable COL-R phenotypes with increasing genomic complexity. Likewise, different nsSNP profiling in genes already associated with COL-R marked the stable and/or unstable COL-R phenotypes. Our investigation finds out that A. baumannii can range through unstable or stable COLR phenotypes emerging via different “onset strategies” within phylogenetic lineages displaying increasing genomic mosaicism.

scholarly journals Heteroresistance to Colistin in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

2006 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 2946-2950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Li ◽  
Craig R. Rayner ◽  
Roger L. Nation ◽  
Roxanne J. Owen ◽  
Denis Spelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Colistin Methanesulfonate ◽  
Time Kill ◽  
Kinetics Of

ABSTRACT Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a significant clinical problem worldwide and colistin is being used increasingly as “salvage” therapy. MICs of colistin against A. baumannii indicate its significant activity. However, resistance to colistin in A. baumannii has been reported recently. Clonotypes of 16 clinical A. baumannii isolates and ATCC 19606 were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and colistin MICs were measured. The time-kill kinetics of colistin against A. baumannii ATCC 19606 and clinical isolate 6 were investigated, and population analysis profiles (PAPs) were conducted. Resistance development was investigated by serial passaging with or without exposure to colistin. Five different PFGE banding patterns were found in the clinical isolates. MICs of colistin against all isolates were within 0.25 to 2 μg/ml. Colistin showed early concentration-dependent killing, but bacterial regrowth was observed at 24 h. PAPs revealed that heteroresistance to colistin occurred in 15 of the 16 clinical isolates. Subpopulations (<0.1% from inocula of 108 to 109 CFU/ml) of ATCC 19606, and most clinical isolates grew in the presence of colistin 3 to 10 μg/ml. Four successive passages of ATCC 19606 in broth containing colistin (up to 200 μg/ml) substantially increased the proportion of the resistant subpopulations able to grow in the presence of colistin at 10 μg/ml from 0.000023 to 100%; even after 16 passages in colistin-free broth, the proportion only decreased to 2.1%. This represents the first demonstration of heterogeneous colistin-resistant A. baumannii in “colistin-susceptible” clinical isolates. Our findings give a strong warning that colistin-resistant A. baumannii may be observed more frequently due to potential suboptimal dosage regimens recommended in the product information of some products of colistin methanesulfonate.

scholarly journals In VitroPharmacodynamics of Polymyxin B and Tigecycline Alone and in Combination against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 874-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mao Hagihara ◽  
Seth T. Housman ◽  
David P. Nicolau ◽  
Joseph L. Kuti
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Model Free ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant

ABSTRACTCarbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumanniiis increasing in prevalence. Polymyxin B and tigecycline are among the most active antibiotics used against this pathogenin vitro. Pastin vitrostudies, however, neglected the importance of simulating exposures observed in humans to determine their antibacterial effects. In this study, four carbapenem-resistantA. baumanniiisolates were evaluated using anin vitropharmacodynamic model. Free-drug exposures using 1 mg/kg of body weight of polymyxin B every 12 h (q12h), 100 and 200 mg tigecycline q12h, and the combination of these regimens were simulated. The microbiological responses to these treatments were measured by the change in log10CFU/ml over 24 h and the area under the bacterial killing and regrowth curve (AUBC). Resistance was assessed by a population analysis profile (PAP) conducted after 24 h of treatment. Polymyxin B achieved a reduction on the order of −2.05 ± 0.68 log10CFU/ml against theseA. baumanniiisolates, while all isolates grew to control levels with tigecycline monotherapy. Combination therapy with polymyxin B plus 200 mg tigecycline q12h achieved a greater reduction in bacterial density than did therapy with polymyxin B alone (−3.31 ± 0.71 versus −2.05 ± 0.68 log10CFU/ml,P< 0.001) but not significantly different than combination therapy with 100 mg tigecycline q12h (−2.45 ± 1.00 log10CFU/ml,P= 0.370). Likewise, combination therapy with polymyxin B plus 200 mg tigecycline q12h significantly reduced the AUBC compared to that with polymyxin B alone (62.8 ± 8.9 versus 79.4 ± 10.5 log10CFU/ml,P< 0.05). No changes in the PAP from baseline were observed for either antibiotic alone. In this study, combination therapy with simulated exposures of polymyxin B and tigecycline at an aggressive dose of 200 mg q12h produced synergistic or additive effects on humans against these multidrug-resistantA. baumanniistrains.

scholarly journals In VitroSynergy of Colistin Combinations against Colistin-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 4856-4861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline Vidaillac ◽  
Lothaire Benichou ◽  
Raphaël E. Duval
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Checkerboard Assay ◽  
Time Kill

ABSTRACTColistin resistance, although uncommon, is increasingly being reported among Gram-negative clinical pathogens, and an understanding of its impact on the activity of antimicrobials is now evolving. We evaluated the potential for synergy of colistin plus trimethoprim, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (1/19 ratio), or vancomycin against 12 isolates ofAcinetobacter baumannii(n= 4),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(n= 4), andKlebsiella pneumoniae(n= 4). The strains included six multidrug-resistant clinical isolates,K. pneumoniaeATCC 700603,A. baumanniiATCC 19606,P. aeruginosaATCC 27853, and their colistin-resistant derivatives (KPm1, ABm1, and PAm1, respectively). Antimicrobial susceptibilities were assessed by broth microdilution and population analysis profiles. The potential for synergy of colistin combinations was evaluated using a checkerboard assay, as well as static time-kill experiments at 0.5× and 0.25× MIC. The MIC ranges of vancomycin, trimethoprim, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (1/19) were ≥128, 4 to ≥128, and 2/38 to >128/2,432 μg/ml, respectively. Colistin resistance demonstrated little impact on vancomycin, trimethoprim, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole MIC values. Isolates with subpopulations heterogeneously resistant to colistin were observed to various degrees in all tested isolates. In time-kill assays, all tested combinations were synergistic against KPm1 at 0.25× MIC and 0.5× MIC and ABm1 and PAm1 at 0.5× MIC. In contrast, none of the tested combinations demonstrated synergy against any colistin-susceptibleP. aeruginosaisolates and clinical strains ofK. pneumoniaeisolates. Only colistin plus trimethoprim or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was synergistic and bactericidal at 0.5× MIC againstK. pneumoniaeATCC 700603. Colistin resistance seems to promote thein vitroactivity of unconventional colistin combinations. Additional experiments are warranted to understand the clinical significance of these observations.

scholarly journals The Combination of Colistin and Doripenem Is Synergistic against Klebsiella pneumoniae at Multiple Inocula and Suppresses Colistin Resistance in anIn VitroPharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 5103-5112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakuan Z. Deris ◽  
Heidi H. Yu ◽  
Kathryn Davis ◽  
Rachel L. Soon ◽  
Jovan Jacob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Pharmacodynamic Model ◽  
Resistant Isolate ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTMultidrug-resistant (MDR)Klebsiella pneumoniaemay require combination therapy. We systematically investigated bacterial killing with colistin and doripenem mono- and combination therapy against MDRK. pneumoniaeand emergence of colistin resistance. A one-compartmentin vitropharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model was employed over a 72-h period with two inocula (∼106and ∼108CFU/ml); a colistin-heteroresistant reference strain (ATCC 13883) and three clinical isolates (colistin-susceptible FADDI-KP032 [doripenem resistant], colistin-heteroresistant FADDI-KP033, and colistin-resistant FADDI-KP035) were included. Four combinations utilizing clinically achievable concentrations were investigated. Microbiological responses were examined by determining log changes and population analysis profiles (for emergence of colistin resistance) over 72 h. Against colistin-susceptible and -heteroresistant isolates, combinations of colistin (constant concentration regimens of 0.5 or 2 mg/liter) plus doripenem (steady-state peak concentration [Cmax] of 2.5 or 25 mg/liter over 8 h; half-life, 1.5 h) generally resulted in substantial improvements in bacterial killing at both inocula. Combinations were additive or synergistic against ATCC 13883, FADDI-KP032, and FADDI-KP033 in 9, 9, and 14 of 16 cases (4 combinations at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h) at the 106-CFU/ml inoculum and 14, 11, and 12 of 16 cases at the 108-CFU/ml inoculum, respectively. Combinations at the highest dosage regimens resulted in undetectable bacterial counts at 72 h in 5 of 8 cases (4 isolates at 2 inocula). Emergence of colistin-resistant subpopulations in colistin-susceptible and -heteroresistant isolates was virtually eliminated with combination therapy. Against the colistin-resistant isolate, colistin at 2 mg/liter plus doripenem (Cmax, 25 mg/liter) at the low inoculum improved bacterial killing. This investigation provides important information for optimization of colistin-doripenem combinations.

scholarly journals Molecular survey of mcr1 and mcr2 plasmid mediated colistin resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolates of animal origin in Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayhan Ilbeigi ◽  
Mahdi Askari Badouei ◽  
Hossein Vaezi ◽  
Hassan Zaheri ◽  
Sina Aghasharif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
E Coli ◽  
High Level ◽  
Farming Industry

Abstract Objectives The emergence of colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from human and animal sources is one of the major public health concerns as colistin is the last-resort antibiotic for treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. We aimed to determine the prevalence of the prototype widespread colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 and mcr-2) among commensal and pathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from food-producing and companion animals in Iran. Results A total of 607 E. coli isolates which were previously collected from different animal sources between 2008 and 2016 used to uncover the possible presence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 and mcr-2) by PCR. Overall, our results could not confirm the presence of any mcr-1 or mcr-2 positive E. coli among the studied isolates. It is concluded that despite the important role of food-producing animals in transferring the antibiotic resistance, they were not the main source for carriage of mcr-1 and mcr-2 in Iran until 2016. This study suggests that the other mcr variants (mcr-3 to mcr-9) might be responsible for conferring colistin resistance in animal isolates in Iran. The possible linkage between pig farming industry and high level of mcr carriage in some countries needs to be clarified in future prospective studies.

scholarly journals Colistin-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Bacteremia: A Serious Threat for Critically Ill Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios Papathanakos ◽  
Ioannis Andrianopoulos ◽  
Athanasios Papathanasiou ◽  
Efthalia Priavali ◽  
Despoina Koulenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Hospital Infections ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
Comorbidity Index

The prevalence of acinetobacter baumannii (AB) as a cause of hospital infections has been rising. Unfortunately, emerging colistin resistance limits therapeutic options and affects the outcome. The aim of the study was to confirm our clinically-driven hypothesis that intensive care unit (ICU) patients with AB resistant-to-colistin (ABCoR) bloodstream infection (BSI) develop fulminant septic shock and die. We conducted a 28-month retrospective observational study including all patients developing AB infection on ICU admission or during ICU stay. From 622 screened patients, 31 patients with BSI sepsis were identified. Thirteen (41.9%) patients had ABCoR BSI and 18/31 (58.1%) had colistin-susceptible (ABCoS) BSI. All ABCoR BSI patients died; of them, 69% (9/13) presented with fulminant septic shock and died within the first 3 days from its onset. ABCoR BSI patients compared to ABCoS BSI patients had higher mortality (100% vs. 50%, respectively (p = 0.001)), died sooner (p = 0.006), had lower pH (p = 0.004) and higher lactate on ICU admission (p = 0.0001), and had higher APACHE II (p = 0.01) and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (p = 0.044). In conclusion, we documented that critically ill patients with ABCoR BSI exhibit fulminant septic shock with excessive mortality. Our results highlight the emerging clinical problem of AB colistin resistance among ICU patients.

scholarly journals Characterization of RelA in Acinetobacter baumannii

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Pérez-Varela ◽  
Aimee R. P. Tierney ◽  
Ju-Sim Kim ◽  
Andrés Vázquez-Torres ◽  
Philip Rather
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Content Model ◽  
Transposon Insertion ◽  
Downstream Effectors

ABSTRACT In response to nutrient depletion, the RelA and SpoT proteins generate the signaling molecule (p)ppGpp, which then controls a number of downstream effectors to modulate cell physiology. In Acinetobacter baumannii strain AB5075, a relA ortholog (ABUW_3302) was identified by a transposon insertion that conferred an unusual colony phenotype. An in-frame deletion in relA (ΔrelA) failed to produce detectable levels of ppGpp when amino acid starvation was induced with serine hydroxamate. The ΔrelA mutant was blocked from switching from the virulent opaque colony variant (VIR-O) to the avirulent translucent colony variant (AV-T), but the rate of AV-T to VIR-O switching was unchanged. In addition, the ΔrelA mutation resulted in a pronounced hypermotile phenotype on 0.35% agar plates. This hypermotility was dependent on the activation of a LysR regulator ABUW_1132, which was required for expression of AbaR, a LuxR family quorum-sensing regulator. In the ΔrelA mutant, ABUW_1132 was also required for the increased expression of an operon composed of the ABUW_3766-ABUW_3773 genes required for production of the surfactant-like lipopeptide acinetin 505. Additional phenotypes identified in the ΔrelA mutant included (i) cell elongation at high density, (ii) reduced formation of persister cells tolerant to colistin and rifampin, and (iii) decreased virulence in a Galleria mellonella model. IMPORTANCE Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogen of worldwide importance. Due to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance, these infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat. New therapies are required to combat multidrug-resistant isolates. The role of RelA in A. baumannii is largely unknown. This study demonstrates that like in other bacteria, RelA controls a variety of functions, including virulence. Strategies to inhibit the activity of RelA and the resulting production of ppGpp could inhibit virulence and may represent a new therapeutic approach.

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