scholarly journals The K1 Capsular Polysaccharide of Acinetobacter baumannii Strain 307-0294 Is a Major Virulence Factor

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 3993-4000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Russo ◽  
Nicole R. Luke ◽  
Janet M. Beanan ◽  
Ruth Olson ◽  
Shauna L. Sauberan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Protein Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Ascites Fluid ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Flow Cytometric ◽  
K1 Capsule

ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogen of increasing medical importance with a propensity to be multidrug resistant, thereby making treatment challenging. Little is known of virulence traits in A. baumannii. To identify virulence factors and potential drug targets, random transposon (Tn) mutants derived from the A. baumannii strain AB307-0294 were screened to identify genes essential for growth in human ascites fluid in vitro, an inflammatory exudative fluid. These studies led to the identification of two genes that were predicted to be required for capsule polymerization and assembly. The first, ptk, encodes a putative protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), and the second, epsA, encodes a putative polysaccharide export outer membrane protein (EpsA). Monoclonal antibodies used in flow cytometric and Western analyses confirmed that these genes are required for a capsule-positive phenotype. A capsule-positive phenotype significantly optimized growth in human ascites fluid, survival in human serum, and survival in a rat soft tissue infection model. Importantly, the clearance of the capsule-minus mutants AB307.30 (ptk mutant, capsule minus) and AB307.45 (epsA mutant, capsule minus) was complete and durable. These data demonstrated that the K1 capsule from AB307-0294 was an important protectin. Further, these data suggested that conserved proteins, which contribute to the capsule-positive phenotype, are potential antivirulence drug targets. Therefore, the results from this study have important biologic and translational implications and, to the best of our knowledge, are the first to address the role of capsule in the pathogenesis of A. baumannii infection.

scholarly journals The K1 Capsular Polysaccharide from Acinetobacter baumannii Is a Potential Therapeutic Target via Passive Immunization

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 915-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Russo ◽  
Janet M. Beanan ◽  
Ruth Olson ◽  
Ulrike MacDonald ◽  
Andrew D. Cox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Therapeutic Target ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Passive Immunization ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Potential Therapeutic Target ◽  
Content Type ◽  
K1 Capsule

ABSTRACTThe emergence of extremely resistant and panresistant Gram-negative bacilli, such asAcinetobacter baumannii, requires consideration of nonantimicrobial therapeutic approaches. The goal of this report was to evaluate the K1 capsular polysaccharide fromA. baumanniias a passive immunization target. Its structure was determined by a combination of mass spectrometric and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Molecular mimics that might raise the concern for autoimmune disease were not identified. Immunization of CD1 mice demonstrated that the K1 capsule is immunogenic. The monoclonal antibody (MAb) 13D6, which is directed against the K1 capsule fromA. baumannii, was used to determine the seroprevalence of the K1 capsule in a collection of 100A. baumanniistrains. Thirteen percent of theA. baumanniiisolates from this collection were seroreactive to MAb 13D6. Opsonization of K1-positive strains, but not K1-negative strains, with MAb 13D6 significantly increased neutrophil-mediated bactericidal activityin vitro(P< 0.05). Lastly, treatment with MAb 13D6 3 and 24 h after bacterial challenge in a rat soft tissue infection model resulted in a significant decrease in the growth/survival of a K1-positive strain compared to that of a K1-negative strain or to treatment with a vehicle control (P< 0.0001). These data support the proof of principle that the K1 capsule is a potential therapeutic target via passive immunization. Other serotypes require assessment, and pragmatic challenges exist, such as the need to serotype infecting strains and utilize serotype-specific therapy. Nonetheless, this approach may become an important therapeutic option with increasing antimicrobial resistance and a diminishing number of active antimicrobials.

scholarly journals Rat Pneumonia and Soft-Tissue Infection Models for the Study of Acinetobacter baumannii Biology

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 3577-3586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Russo ◽  
Janet M. Beanan ◽  
Ruth Olson ◽  
Ulrike MacDonald ◽  
Nicole R. Luke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Soft Tissue Infection ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Tissue Infection ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Infection Models

ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii is a bacterial pathogen of increasing medical importance. Little is known about its mechanisms of pathogenesis, and safe reliable agents with predictable activity against A. baumannii are presently nonexistent. The availability of relevant animal infection models will facilitate the study of Acinetobacter biology. In this report we tested the hypothesis that the rat pneumonia and soft-tissue infection models that our laboratory had previously used for studies of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli were clinically relevant for A. baumannii. Advantages of these models over previously described models were that the animals were not rendered neutropenic and they did not receive porcine mucin with bacterial challenge. Using the A. baumannii model pathogen 307-0294 as the challenge pathogen, the pneumonia model demonstrated all of the features of infection that are critical for a clinically relevant model: namely, bacterial growth/clearance, an ensuing host inflammatory response, acute lung injury, and, following progressive bacterial proliferation, death due to respiratory failure. We were also able to demonstrate growth of 307-0294 in the soft-tissue infection model. Next we tested the hypothesis that the soft-tissue infection model could be used to discriminate between the inherent differences in virulence of various A. baumannii clinical isolates. The ability of A. baumannii to grow and/or be cleared in this model was dependent on the challenge strain. We also hypothesized that complement is an important host factor in protecting against A. baumannii infection in vivo. In support of this hypothesis was the observation that the serum sensitivity of various A. baumannii clinical isolates in vitro roughly paralleled their growth/clearance in the soft-tissue infection model in vivo. Lastly we hypothesized that the soft-tissue infection model would serve as an efficient screening mechanism for identifying gene essentiality for drug discovery. Random mutants of 307-0294 were initially screened for lack of growth in human ascites in vitro. Selected mutants were subsequently used for challenge in the soft-tissue infection model to determine if the disrupted gene was essential for growth in vivo. Using this approach, we have been able to successfully identify a number of genes essential for the growth of 307-0294 in vivo. In summary, these models are clinically relevant and can be used to study the innate virulence of various Acinetobacter clinical isolates and to assess potential virulence factors, vaccine candidates, and drug targets in vivo and can be used for pharmacokinetic and chemotherapeutic investigations.

scholarly journals A Potential Combination Therapy of Berberine Hydrochloride With Antibiotics Against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaobo Li ◽  
Yanqing Song ◽  
Lina Wang ◽  
Guangbo Kang ◽  
Ping Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Berberine Hydrochloride ◽  
Transporter Protein ◽  
Antimicrobial Efficiency ◽  
Global Threat

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii strains can cause severe infections in intensive care units, and are rapidly developing resistance to the last-resort of existing antibiotics, posing a major global threat to health care system. Berberine hydrochloride (BBH), a kind of isoquinoline alkaloids extracted from Berberis and other plants, has been widely used as an antibacterial medicine for its reliable therapeutic efficiency. The in vitro synergistic effects of BBH with antibiotics against MDR A. baumannii were determined. BBH alone had weak antimicrobial activity (e.g., MIC≥256 mg/L) against MDR A. baumannii. However, it dramatically increased the susceptibility of MDR strains against antibiotics with FICI values &lt;0.5, even reversed their resistance to antibiotics (e.g., tigecycline, sulbactam, meropenem and ciprofloxacin). In vivo study has suggested BBH with sulbactam had stronger antimicrobial efficiency than monotherapy in a neutropenic murine thigh infection model. The antibiotic-sensitizing mechanism of action of BBH was evaluated as well. BBH boosted adeB gene expression and bound to the AdeB transporter protein, resulting in low uptake of BBH, which may contribute to less extrusion of antibiotics by the AdeABC pump. Knockout of the adeB gene increased uptake of BBH and diminished the antibiotic sensitization and synergistic effects between antibiotics and BBH in MDR strains. Together, BBH effectively re-sensitizes this MDR pathogen to a range of antibiotics that have become barely effective due to antibiotic resistance, which indicates BBH may be a promising therapeutic adjuvant candidate to combat MDR A. baumannii.

scholarly journals Dual Role of gnaA in Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingye Xu ◽  
Tao Chen ◽  
Biyong Yan ◽  
Linyue Zhang ◽  
Borui Pi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Drug Susceptibility ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Bacterial Virulence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evolution Experiment

ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii is an important Gram-negative pathogen in hospital-related infections. However, treatment options for A. baumannii infections have become limited due to multidrug resistance. Bacterial virulence is often associated with capsule genes found in the K locus, many of which are essential for biosynthesis of the bacterial envelope. However, the roles of other genes in the K locus remain largely unknown. From an in vitro evolution experiment, we obtained an isolate of the virulent and multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strain MDR-ZJ06, called MDR-ZJ06M, which has an insertion by the ISAba16 transposon in gnaA (encoding UDP-N-acetylglucosamine C-6 dehydrogenase), a gene found in the K locus. The isolate showed an increased resistance toward tigecycline, whereas the MIC decreased in the case of carbapenems, cephalosporins, colistin, and minocycline. By using knockout and complementation experiments, we demonstrated that gnaA is important for the synthesis of lipooligosaccharide and capsular polysaccharide and that disruption of the gene affects the morphology, drug susceptibility, and virulence of the pathogen.

Humanized Exposures of a β-Lactam-β-Lactamase Inhibitor, Tazobactam, versus Non-β-Lactam-β-Lactamase Inhibitor, Avibactam, with or without Colistin, against Acinetobacter baumannii in Murine Thigh and Lung Infection Models

Pharmacology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 101 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 255-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marguerite L. Monogue ◽  
George Sakoulas ◽  
Victor Nizet ◽  
David P. Nicolau
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Lung Infection ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Lung Model ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Peptide Antibiotics ◽  
Infection Models ◽  
Lactamase Inhibitor

β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitors (BLIs) have previously demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (AB). Colistin retains the highest susceptibility rate against A. baumannii, and has demonstrated synergy with other antimicrobials, including β-lactam-BLIs. Therefore, we assessed the potential individual activity and synergistic combinations in vivo against carbapenem-susceptible (CS) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii isolates in neutropenic thigh and lung infection models. In vitro, colistin and tazobactam MICs were 1 and 16 µg/mL against AB 25–49 (CS) and 1 and 128 µg/mL against AB 5075 (MDR) respectively. In the lung model, tazobactam alone and in combination with colistin achieved a 1-log reduction in CFU, while colistin alone was not active against AB 25–49. No activity was observed against AB 5075. In the thigh model, tazobactam with and without colistin was bacteriostatic against AB 25–49 but did not demonstrate any activity against AB 5075. Avibactam and colistin alone and in combination were not active against either isolate. No synergy was observed; however, we found tazobactam activity against A. baumannii. This activity was not observed for the non-β-lactam-BLI, avibactam. This suggests that binding to penicillin-binding proteins of the β-lactam molecule is required for tazobactam activity against A. baumannii. These data point to an added role of β-lactam-BLIs beyond their primary purpose of β-lactamase inhibition in the treatment of MDR A. baumannii infections by enhancing the activity of peptide antibiotics, a property that is not shared by the novel non-β-lactam-BLIs. Future studies are needed to define tazobactam and colistin activity in an A. baumannii infection model.

scholarly journals In Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial Peptide Tridecaptin M in Combination with Other Antibiotics against Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (14) ◽  
pp. 3255
Author(s):  
Manoj Jangra ◽  
Vrushali Raka ◽  
Hemraj Nandanwar
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Antimicrobial Effect ◽  
Concomitant Administration ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Permeability Barrier

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii coupled with the dried pipeline of novel treatments has driven the search for new therapeutic modalities. Gram-negative bacteria have an extra outer membrane that serves as a permeability barrier for various hydrophobic and/or large compounds. One of the popular approaches to tackle this penetration barrier is use of potentiators or adjuvants in combination with traditional antibiotics. This study reports the in vitro potential of an antimicrobial peptide tridecaptin M in combination with other antibiotics against different strains of A. baumannii. Tridecaptin M sensitized the bacteria to rifampicin, vancomycin, and ceftazidime. Further, we observed that a tridecaptin M and rifampicin combination killed the bacteria completely in 4 h in an ex vivo blood infection model and was superior to rifampicin monotherapy. The study also found that concomitant administration of both compounds is not necessary to achieve the antimicrobial effect. Bacteria pre-treated with tridecaptin M (for 2–4 h) followed by exposure to rifampicin showed similar killing as obtained for combined treatment. Additionally, this combination hampered the survival of persister development in comparison to rifampicin alone. These findings encourage the future investigation of this combination to treat severe infections caused by extremely drug-resistant A. baumannii.

scholarly journals 1293. Sulbactam-durlobactam is active against recent, multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from the Middle East

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S662-S662
Author(s):  
Alita Miller ◽  
Sarah McLeod ◽  
Samir Moussa ◽  
Meredith Hackel
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Blood Stream ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Spectrum Activity

Abstract Background The incidence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) is increasing at an alarming rate in certain regions of the world, including the Middle East. Sulbactam (SUL) has intrinsic antibacterial activity against Ab; however, the prevalence of β-lactamases in Ab has limited its therapeutic utility. Durlobactam (DUR, formerly ETX2514) is a diazabicyclooctenone β-lactamase inhibitor with broad-spectrum activity against Ambler class A, C and D β-lactamases that restores SUL activity in vitro against MDR Ab. SUL-DUR is an antibiotic designed to treat serious infections caused by Acinetobacter, including multidrug-resistant strains, that is currently in Phase 3 clinical development. In global surveillance studies of &gt;3600 isolates from 2012-2017, the MIC90 of SUL-DUR was 2 mg/L. Although surveillance systems to monitor MDR infections in the Middle East are currently being established, quantitative, prevalence-based data are not yet available. Therefore, the potency of SUL-DUR was determined against 190 recent, diverse Ab clinical isolates from this region. Methods 190 Ab isolates were collected between 2016 - 2018 from medical centers located in Israel (N = 47), Jordan (N = 36), Qatar (N = 13), Kuwait (N = 42), Lebanon (N = 8), Saudi Arabia (N = 24) and United Arab Emirates (N = 20). Seventy-five percent and 20.5% of these isolates were from respiratory and blood stream infections, respectively. Susceptibility to SUL-DUR and comparator agents was performed according to CLSI guidelines, and data analysis was performed using CLSI and EUCAST breakpoint criteria where available. Results This collection of isolates was 86% carbapenem-resistant and 90% sulbactam-resistant (based on a breakpoint of 4 mg/L). The addition of SUL-DUR (fixed at 4 mg/L) decreased the sulbactam MIC90 from 64 mg/L to 4 mg/L. Only 3 isolates (1.6%) had SUL-DUR MIC values of &gt; 4 mg/L. This potency was consistent across countries, sources of infection and subsets of resistance phenotypes. Conclusion SUL-DUR demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against recent clinical isolates of Ab from the Middle East, including MDR isolates. These data support the global development of SUL-DUR for the treatment of MDR Ab infections. Disclosures Alita Miller, PhD, Entasis Therapeutics (Employee) Sarah McLeod, PhD, Entasis Therapeutics (Employee) Samir Moussa, PhD, Entasis Therapeutics (Employee)

scholarly journals Antibiofilm and antivirulence potential of silver nanoparticles against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helal F. Hetta ◽  
Israa M. S. Al-Kadmy ◽  
Saba Saadoon Khazaal ◽  
Suhad Abbas ◽  
Ahmed Suhail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Microtiter Plate ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Resistance Pattern ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
The Impact

AbstractWe aimed to isolate Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) from wound infections, determine their resistance and virulence profile, and assess the impact of Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the bacterial growth, virulence and biofilm-related gene expression. AgNPs were synthesized and characterized using TEM, XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. A. baumannii (n = 200) were isolated and identified. Resistance pattern was determined and virulence genes (afa/draBC, cnf1, cnf2, csgA, cvaC, fimH, fyuA, ibeA, iutA, kpsMT II, PAI, papC, PapG II, III, sfa/focDE and traT) were screened using PCR. Biofilm formation was evaluated using Microtiter plate method. Then, the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was evaluated by the well-diffusion method, growth kinetics and MIC determination. Inhibition of biofilm formation and the ability to disperse biofilms in exposure to AgNPs were evaluated. The effect of AgNPs on the expression of virulence and biofilm-related genes (bap, OmpA, abaI, csuA/B, A1S_2091, A1S_1510, A1S_0690, A1S_0114) were estimated using QRT-PCR. In vitro infection model for analyzing the antibacterial activity of AgNPs was done using a co-culture infection model of A. baumannii with human fibroblast skin cell line HFF-1 or Vero cell lines. A. baumannii had high level of resistance to antibiotics. Most of the isolates harbored the fimH, afa/draBC, cnf1, csgA and cnf2, and the majority of A. baumannii produced strong biofilms. AgNPs inhibited the growth of A. baumannii efficiently with MIC ranging from 4 to 25 µg/ml. A. baumannii showed a reduced growth rate in the presence of AgNPs. The inhibitory activity and the anti-biofilm activity of AgNPs were more pronounced against the weak biofilm producers. Moreover, AgNPs decreased the expression of kpsMII , afa/draBC,bap, OmpA, and csuA/B genes. The in vitro infection model revealed a significant antibacterial activity of AgNPs against extracellular and intracellular A. baumannii. AgNPs highly interrupted bacterial multiplication and biofilm formation. AgNPs downregulated the transcription level of important virulence and biofilm-related genes. Our findings provide an additional step towards understanding the mechanisms by which sliver nanoparticles interfere with the microbial spread and persistence.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the electron transfer flavoprotein as an antibacterial target in Burkholderia cenocepacia

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 857-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria S. Stietz ◽  
Christina Lopez ◽  
Osasumwen Osifo ◽  
Marcelo E. Tolmasky ◽  
Silvia T. Cardona
Keyword(s):  
Electron Transfer ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Burkholderia Cenocepacia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Electron Transfer Flavoprotein ◽  
C Elegans

There are hundreds of essential genes in multidrug-resistant bacterial genomes, but only a few of their products are exploited as antibacterial targets. An example is the electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF), which is required for growth and viability in Burkholderia cenocepacia. Here, we evaluated ETF as an antibiotic target for Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Depletion of the bacterial ETF during infection of Caenorhabditis elegans significantly extended survival of the nematodes, proving that ETF is essential for survival of B. cenocepacia in this host model. In spite of the arrest in respiration in ETF mutants, the inhibition of etf expression did not increase the formation of persister cells, when treated with high doses of ciprofloxacin or meropenem. To test if etf translation could be inhibited by RNA interference, antisense oligonucleotides that target the etfBA operon were synthesized. One antisense oligonucleotide was effective in inhibiting etfB translation in vitro but not in vivo, highlighting the challenge of reduced membrane permeability for the design of drugs against B. cenocepacia. This work contributes to the validation of ETF of B. cenocepacia as a target for antibacterial therapy and demonstrates the utility of a C. elegans liquid killing assay to validate gene essentiality in an in vivo infection model.

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