Interspecies DNA acquisition by a naturally competent Acinetobacter baumannii strain

Abstract

This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Highlights  A. baumannii A118 was able to acquire genomic DNA (gDNA) of two carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp) clinical isolates  The whole genome sequence of two transformants cells was obtained confirming the acquisition of foreign genomic DNA. The K. pneumoniae DNA segments that were acquired, includes mobile elements, resistance determinants, and genes involved in metabolism.  Additional assays showed that A. baumannii A118 was also able to incorporate gDNA of Providencia rettgeri and Staphylococcus aureus, two phylogenetically distant species.  This study showed that A. baumannii can acquire foreign DNA from different species and that transformation may play a fundamental role in the increasing frequency of emergence of MDR strains

Identification of Potential Virulence Factors in the Model Strain Acinetobacter baumannii A118

“…There is an urgent need to find answers to the problem of infections with bacteria belonging to the ESKAPE group (Boucher et al, 2013), which includes A. baumannii . Research on this bacterium presents numerous challenges due to its tremendous genetic plasticity and diversity, as well as its multiresistance to most antibiotics used for selection in the molecular biology laboratory (Ramirez et al, 2010; Wright et al, 2016; Traglia et al, 2019). We have analyzed functions related to the antibiotic resistance/susceptibility profile of the model strain A. baumannii A118 (Ramirez et al, 2010, 2011).…”

Carbapenemases: Transforming Acinetobacter baumannii into a Yet More Dangerous Menace

“…The genetic plasticity of Acinetobacter spp. permitted this bacterium to evolve rapidly, turning it into one the most serious threats to hospitalized patients [52,53,[354][355][356]. Currently, multi-and pan-drug-resistant A. baumannii are ubiquitous, and options for treatment are shrinking.…”

Genomic and phenotypic analyses of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii NCCP 16007 isolated from a patient with a urinary tract infection

“…These strategies include random mutations, acquisition of ARGs through HGT, and activation of mobile DNA elements [ 34 ]. Acinetobacter species have a high genome plasticity and natural transformation ability, which could allow them to evolve by exchanging ARGs under antibiotic conditions [ 35 ]. Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 has been reported to possess a remarkable natural competence ability, which is more than 100-fold higher than that of E. coli cells treated with CaCl2 [ 36 ].…”