scholarly journals Contribution of the Ade Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division-Type Efflux Pumps to Fitness and Pathogenesis of Acinetobacter baumannii

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Jeong Yoon ◽  
Viviane Balloy ◽  
Laurence Fiette ◽  
Michel Chignard ◽  
Patrice Courvalin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Pulmonary Infection ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Resistance Mechanism ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Efflux System ◽  
Biological Cost

ABSTRACT Overexpression of chromosomal resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND)-type efflux systems with broad substrate specificity contributes to multidrug resistance (MDR) in Acinetobacter baumannii . We have shown that modulation of expression of the structural genes for the efflux systems AdeABC and AdeIJK confers MDR and results in numerous alterations of membrane-associated cellular functions, in particular biofilm formation. However, the contribution of these RND pumps to cell fitness and virulence has not yet been studied. The biological cost of an antibiotic resistance mechanism is a key parameter in determining its stability and dissemination. From an entirely sequenced susceptible clinical isolate, we have generated a set of isogenic derivatives having single point mutations resulting in overexpression of each efflux system or with every pump deleted by allelic replacement. We found that overproduction of the pumps results in a significant decrease in fitness of the bacterial host when measured by competition experiments in vitro . Fitness and virulence were also evaluated in vivo both in systemic and pulmonary infection models in immunocompetent mice. A diminished competitiveness of the AdeABC-overexpressing mutant was observed only after intraperitoneal inoculation, but not after intranasal inoculation, the latter mimicking the most frequent type of human A. baumannii infection. However, in mice infected intranasally, this mutant was more virulent and stimulated an enhanced neutrophil activation in the lungs. Altogether, these data account for the observation that adeABC overexpression is common in MDR A. baumannii frequently found in ventilator-associated pneumonia. IMPORTANCE Overproduction of the RND AdeABC efflux system is observed with a high incidence in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and results in increased resistance to several antibiotics of choice for the treatment of infections caused by this nosocomial pathogen. It was therefore important to study the biological cost of the overexpression of the adeABC structural operon which is normally tightly regulated. Fitness diminution of an overexpressing mutant detected in vitro and in vivo in a model that mimics sepsis was not observed in a pulmonary infection model in which the mutant was more virulent. This points out that increased virulence can occur independently from prolonged persistence in the infected organ and can account for the elevated incidence of this resistance mechanism in clinical isolates. The study also indicates that transposon libraries will identify only virulence genes that are expressed under physiological conditions but not those that are tightly regulated.

scholarly journals Investigation of Novel pmrB and eptA Mutations in Isogenic Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates Associated with Colistin Resistance and Increased Virulence In Vivo

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Gerson ◽  
Jonathan W. Betts ◽  
Kai Lucaßen ◽  
Carolina Silva Nodari ◽  
Julia Wille ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Resistance Mechanism ◽  
Resistant Isolate ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Strain Specificity ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii is of great concern and is a threat to human health. In this study, we investigate the mechanisms of colistin resistance in four isogenic pairs of A. baumannii isolates displaying an increase in colistin MICs. A mutation in pmrB was detected in each colistin-resistant isolate, three of which were novel (A28V, I232T, and ΔL9-G12). Increased expression of pmrC was shown by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) for three colistin-resistant isolates, and the addition of phosphoethanolamine (PEtN) to lipid A by PmrC was revealed by mass spectrometry. Interestingly, PEtN addition was also observed in some colistin-susceptible isolates, indicating that this resistance mechanism might be strain specific and that other factors could contribute to colistin resistance. Furthermore, the introduction of pmrAB carrying the short amino acid deletion ΔL9-G12 into a pmrAB knockout strain resulted in increased pmrC expression and lipid A modification, but colistin MICs remained unchanged, further supporting the strain specificity of this colistin resistance mechanism. Of note, a mutation in the pmrC homologue eptA and a point mutation in ISAba1 upstream of eptA were associated with colistin resistance and increased eptA expression, which is a hitherto undescribed resistance mechanism. Moreover, no cost of fitness was observed for colistin-resistant isolates, while the virulence of these isolates was increased in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Although the mutations in pmrB were associated with colistin resistance, PEtN addition appears not to be the sole factor leading to colistin resistance, indicating that the mechanism of colistin resistance is far more complex than previously suspected and is potentially strain specific.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Activity of AS101 against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 823
Author(s):  
Tsung-Ying Yang ◽  
Sung-Pin Tseng ◽  
Heather Nokulunga Dlamini ◽  
Po-Liang Lu ◽  
Lin Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Antibacterial Activities ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Mouse Infection Model ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Time Kill

The increasing trend of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) worldwide has become a concern, limiting therapeutic alternatives and increasing morbidity and mortality rates. The immunomodulation agent ammonium trichloro (dioxoethylene-O,O′-) tellurate (AS101) was repurposed as an antimicrobial agent against CRAB. Between 2016 and 2018, 27 CRAB clinical isolates were collected in Taiwan. The in vitro antibacterial activities of AS101 were evaluated using broth microdilution, time-kill assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection and electron microscopy. In vivo effectiveness was assessed using a sepsis mouse infection model. The MIC range of AS101 for 27 CRAB isolates was from 0.5 to 32 µg/mL, which is below its 50% cytotoxicity (approximately 150 µg/mL). Bactericidal activity was confirmed using a time-kill assay. The antibacterial mechanism of AS101 was the accumulation of the ROS and the disruption of the cell membrane, which, in turn, results in cell death. The carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii mouse sepsis model showed that AS101 was a better therapeutic effect than colistin. The mice survival rate after 120 h was 33% (4/12) in the colistin-treated group and 58% (7/12) in the high-dose AS101 (3.33 mg/kg/day) group. Furthermore, high-dose AS101 significantly decreased bacterial population in the liver, kidney and spleen (all p < 0.001). These findings support the concept that AS101 is an ideal candidate for further testing in future studies.

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 An essential bifunctional enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis for itaconate dissimilation and leucine catabolism

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (32) ◽  
pp. 15907-15913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Wang ◽  
Alexander A. Fedorov ◽  
Elena V. Fedorov ◽  
Debbie M. Hunt ◽  
Angela Rodgers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Resistance Mechanism ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Enzymatic Assays ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Mouse Infection Model ◽  
Leucine Catabolism ◽  
Global Population

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the etiological agent of tuberculosis. One-fourth of the global population is estimated to be infected with Mtb, accounting for ∼1.3 million deaths in 2017. As part of the immune response to Mtb infection, macrophages produce metabolites with the purpose of inhibiting or killing the bacterial cell. Itaconate is an abundant host metabolite thought to be both an antimicrobial agent and a modulator of the host inflammatory response. However, the exact mode of action of itaconate remains unclear. Here, we show that Mtb has an itaconate dissimilation pathway and that the last enzyme in this pathway, Rv2498c, also participates in l-leucine catabolism. Our results from phylogenetic analysis, in vitro enzymatic assays, X-ray crystallography, and in vivo Mtb experiments, identified Mtb Rv2498c as a bifunctional β-hydroxyacyl-CoA lyase and that deletion of the rv2498c gene from the Mtb genome resulted in attenuation in a mouse infection model. Altogether, this report describes an itaconate resistance mechanism in Mtb and an l-leucine catabolic pathway that proceeds via an unprecedented (R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) stereospecific route in nature.

scholarly journals In VivoApplication of Bacteriophage as a Potential Therapeutic Agent To Control OXA-66-Like Carbapenemase-Producing Acinetobacter baumannii Strains Belonging to Sequence Type 357

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (14) ◽  
pp. 4200-4208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jongsoo Jeon ◽  
Choong-Min Ryu ◽  
Jun-Young Lee ◽  
Jong-Hwan Park ◽  
Dongeun Yong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Bacterial Challenge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lysis Activity

ABSTRACTThe increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumannii(CRAB) strains in intensive care units has caused major problems in public health worldwide. Our aim was to determine whether this phage could be used as an alternative therapeutic agent against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, specifically CRAB clinical isolates, using a mouse model. Ten bacteriophages that caused lysis in CRAB strains, includingblaOXA-66-likegenes, were isolated. YMC13/01/C62 ABA BP (phage Bϕ-C62), which showed the strongest lysis activity, was chosen for further study by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), host range test, one-step growth and phage adsorption rate, thermal and pH stability, bacteriolytic activity test, genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, and therapeutic effect of phage using a mouse intranasal infection model. The phage Bϕ-C62 displayed high stability at various temperatures and pH values and strong cell lysis activityin vitro. The phage Bϕ-C62 genome has a double-stranded linear DNA with a length of 44,844 bp, and known virulence genes were not identifiedin silico. In vivostudy showed that all mice treated with phage Bϕ-C62 survived after intranasal bacterial challenge. Bacterial clearance in the lung was observed within 3 days after bacterial challenge, and histologic damage also improved significantly; moreover, no side effects were observed.IMPORTANCEIn our study, the novelA. baumanniiphage Bϕ-C62 was characterized and evaluatedin vitro,in silico, andin vivo. These results, including strong lytic activities and the improvement of survival rates, showed the therapeutic potential of the phage Bϕ-C62 as an antimicrobial agent. This study reports the potential of a novel phage as a therapeutic candidate or nontoxic disinfectant against CRAB clinical isolatesin vitroandin vivo.

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.

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.

Antisense inhibition of lpxB gene expression in Acinetobacter baumannii by peptide–PNA conjugates and synergy with colistin

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Martínez-Guitián ◽  
Juan Carlos Vázquez-Ucha ◽  
Laura Álvarez-Fraga ◽  
Kelly Conde-Pérez ◽  
Germán Bou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Kill Curve ◽  
Time Kill

Abstract Background LpxB is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis pathway of lipid A, a component of LPS. Objectives To evaluate the lpxB gene in Acinetobacter baumannii as a potential therapeutic target and to propose antisense agents such as peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) as a tool to combat bacterial infection, either alone or in combination with known antimicrobial therapies. Methods RNA-seq analysis of the A. baumannii ATCC 17978 strain in a murine pneumonia model was performed to study the in vivo expression of lpxB. Protein expression was studied in the presence or absence of anti-lpxB (KFF)3K-PNA (pPNA). Time–kill curve analyses and protection assays of infected A549 cells were performed. The chequerboard technique was used to test for synergy between pPNA and colistin. A Galleria mellonella infection model was used to test the in vivo efficacy of pPNA. Results The lpxB gene was overexpressed during pneumonia. Treatment with a specific pPNA inhibited LpxB expression in vitro, decreased survival of the ATCC 17978 strain and increased the survival rate of infected A549 cells. Synergy was observed between pPNA and colistin in colistin-susceptible strains. In vivo assays confirmed that a combination treatment of anti-lpxB pPNA and colistin was more effective than colistin in monotherapy. Conclusions The lpxB gene is essential for A. baumannii survival. Anti-lpxB pPNA inhibits LpxB expression, causing bacterial death. This pPNA showed synergy with colistin and increased the survival rate in G. mellonella. The data suggest that antisense pPNA molecules blocking the lpxB gene could be used as antibacterial agents.

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