INVESTIGATING ACINETOBACTER GENUS FROM COMMUNITY-AND HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS

Abstract

Acinetobacter spp. has become a pathogen of concern in both the nosocomial and community settings. Despite the health threat, the molecular epidemiology, resistance determinants and virulence genes of Acinetobacter remains poorly defined. The problem is exemplified by Acinetobacter infections being hard to speciate upon isolation. In this project, we aim to address these issues using bioinformatic tools, in-vitro analysis, and animal models of isolates from nosocomial and community settings. We found 87% of nosocomial-acquired cohort belonging to Acinetobacter baumannii; compared to 26% of community-acquired cohort, with the majority belonging to other Acinetobacter spp.. Sequence type (ST) 2 dominated the nosocomial-acquired cohort while community-acquired cohort had varied STs. Further analyses using antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors between ST2 and non-ST2 revealed higher prevalence of iron acquisition and biofilm formation genes in ST2 than non-ST2. Phenotypic assays done have showed dissociation between genotype, drug resistance and virulence. Lastly, exploratory in-vivo model using virulence genes (OC2 and KL49) was used to decipher virulence and infectivity.