MedWorm: Acinetobacter

Garlic ointment inhibits biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens from burn wounds.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we utilized our recently-developed in vitro wound biofilm model to examine the antibiofilm activity of garlic (Allium sativum). Wound pathogens were inoculated on sterile cellulose disks, exposed to formulated garlic ointment (GarO) or ointment base, and incubated to allow biofilm development. Biofilms were quantified and visualized microscopically. GarO prevented biofilm development by Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae; and reduced the bioburden within Enterococcus faecalis biofilms by 2 to 5 logs. Additionally, GarO disrupted partially-developed biofilms produced by S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and A. baumannii. The antistaphylococcal activity of GarO was stable for over 3 months at room temperat...

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Correlation Between Carbapenem Consumption and Antimicrobial Resistance Rates of Acinetobacter baumannii in a University-Affiliated Hospital in China.

The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cao J, Song W, Gu B, Mei YN, Tang JP, Meng L, Yang CQ, Wang H, Zhou H Abstract To investigate the correlation between carbapenem consumption and rates of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii, carbapenem consumption was expressed as defined daily dose based on the World Health Organization (WHO) anatomical therapeutic chemical classification index. Clinical isolates from 2001-2009 were collected and analyzed using WHONET 5.4 software. Results show that the consumption of imipenem/cilastatin, meropenem, and total carbapenem is significantly correlated with imipenem resistance in A baumannii (r = 0.818, P = .007; r = 0.817, P = .007; r = 0.827, P = .006). Furthermore, total carbapenem consumption is significantly correlated with meropenem resistance in A bauman...

Occurrence of non-lactic acid bacteria populations involved in protein hydrolysis of cold-stored high moisture Mozzarella cheese.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:54:50 +0100

Authors: Baruzzi F, Lagonigro R, Quintieri L, Morea M, Caputo L Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse non-lactic acid bacteria populations (NLABPs) and evaluate their role in proteolysis of cold-stored high moisture (HM) Mozzarella cheese. NLABPs reached values close to 8 log cfu mL(-1) after seven days of cold storage. Sequencing of 16 rDNA and rpoB genes and molecular biotyping allowed to identify 66 bacterial strains belonging to 25 species from 15 genera, mainly represented by Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Rahnella. Fifteen strains showed proteolytic activity values higher than 1000.00 μg Gly mL(-1) after 24 h of growth in skimmed milk. Moreover, as shown by Urea-PAGE, 11 proteolytic strains caused partial or total disappearance of at least one of the caseins. T...

Emergence and spread of a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clone producing both the OXA-23 carbapenemase and the 16S rRNA methylase ArmA.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Brigante G, Migliavacca R, Bramati S, Motta E, Nucleo E, Manenti M, Migliorino G, Pagani L, Luzzaro F, Viganò FE Abstract Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative organism reported worldwide as a cause of health care associated infections, particularly in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The aim of the study was to describe the emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) isolates in hospitalized patients. From March to November 2009, multidrug-resistant CRAB isolates were obtained from 21 patients hospitalized in different wards (mostly ICUs). Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the Etest method. Carbapenem and aminoglycoside resistance determinants were studied by PCR and sequencing. Genetic relatedness was investigated by pulsed-field gel e...

Diversity and phylogenetic analysis of endosymbiotic bacteria from field caught Bemisia tabaci from different locations of North India based on 16S rDNA library screening.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study we report the different bacterial endosymbionts associated with B. tabaci sampled from 14 different locations in North India. Using 16S rDNA clone library sequences we were able to identify Portiera, the primary endosymbiont of B. tabaci, and other secondary endosymbionts like Cardinium, Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Arsenophonus. Along with these we also detected Bacillus, Enterobacter, Paracoccus and Acinetobacter. These secondary endosymbionts were not uniformly distributed in all the locations. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences of Cardinium, Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Arsenophonus showed that each of these bacteria form a separate cluster when compared to their respective counterparts from other parts of the world. MtCO1 gene based phylogenetic analysis showed the pr...

Isolation of biosurfactant producers, optimization and properties of biosurfactant produced by Acinetobacter sp. from petroleum contaminated soil

Journal of Applied Microbiology — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Two novel biosurfactant producers were isolated from petroleum contaminated soil. Biosurfactant from Acinetobacter sp. YC‐X 2 has good properties to a wide range of pH, high temperature and high salinity, and its production was optimized successfully through RSM.Significance and Impact of the study: The fact, an increasing demand of high quality surfactants and the lack of cost‐competitive bioprocesses of biosurfactants for commercial utilization, motivates researchers to develop cost‐effective strategies for biosurfactant production through isolating new biosurfactant producers with special surface‐active properties and optimizing their cultural conditions. Two novel biosurfactant producers in the present study will widen our knowledge about this kind of microor...

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Human‐lice transmitted infectious diseases

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractSeveral of the infectious diseases associated with human lice are life‐threatening, including epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, and trench fever, which are caused by Rickettsia prowazekii, Borrelia recurrentis, and Bartonella quintana, respectively. Although these diseases have been known for several centuries, they remain a major public health concern in populations living in poor hygienic conditions due to war, social disruption, severe poverty, or gaps in public health management. Poor hygienic conditions favor a higher prevalence of body lice, which are the main vectors for these diseases. Trench fever has been reported in both developing and developed countries in populations living in poor conditions, such as homeless individuals. In contrast, outbreaks of epidemic typhus a...

New heterocyclic compounds from 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole class bearing diphenylsulfone moieties. Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity evaluation.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Barbuceanu SF, Saramet G, Almajan GL, Draghici C, Barbuceanu F, Bancescu G Abstract Some new 5-(4-(4-X-phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)-4-(R)-2H-1,2,4-triazol-3(4H)-thiones 4a,b; 5a,b and 5-(4-(4-X-phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)-N-(R)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amines 6a,b; 7a,b were obtained by cyclization of new N(1)-[4-(4-X-phenylsulfonyl)benzoyl]-N(4)-(R)-thiosemicarbazides 2a,b; 3a,b (X=H, Br). The 1,2,4-triazoles were synthesized by intramolecular cyclization of acylthiosemicarbazides, in basic media. On the other hand, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles were obtained from same acylthiosemicarbazides, in acidic media. These new intermediates from thiosemicarbazide class were afforded by the reaction of 4-(4-X-phenylsulfonyl)benzoic acids hydrazides (X=H, Br) 1a,b with 4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl or 3,4,5-trimet...

Spatial and temporal analysis of estuarine bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton using culture-dependent and culture-independent methodologies.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Azevedo JS, Ramos I, Araújo S, Oliveira CS, Correia A, Henriques IS Abstract Bacterioneuston may play a key role in water-air exchange of gases and in processing organic matter and pollutants that accumulate at the sea-surface microlayer (SML). However, the phylogenetic diversity of bacterioneuston has been poorly characterized. We analyzed 24 samples each from the SML and underlying water (UW) at three sites in the Ria de Aveiro estuary, Portugal. Cultivation and culture-independent techniques were used to compare bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton. Culturable heterotrophic bacteria were enriched in the SML. The culturable community was dominated by Psychrobacter and Acinetobacter. The presence of high numbers of Psychrobacter was a notable result. Differences were con...

Acinetobacter indicus sp. nov., isolated from hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) dumpsite.

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Malhotra J, Anand S, Jindal S, Raman R, Lal R Abstract Taxonomic position of a Gram-negative, non-motile, oxidase negative and catalase positive strain A648T, isolated from hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) dumpsite located in Lucknow, India was ascertained using a polyphasic approach. A comparative analysis of partial sequence of the rpoB gene and 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain A648T belongs to the genus Acinetobacter. DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain A648T and other closely related members namely Acinetobacter radioresistens DSM 6976T; Acinetobacter venetianus ATCC 31012T; Acinetobacter baumannii LMG 1041T; Acinetobacter parvus LMG 21765T; Acinetobacter junii LMG 998T and Acinetobacter soli JCM 15062T were found to be less than 8 %. The major cellular fat...

Identification of Acinetobacter species: Is Bruker biotyper MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry a good alternative to molecular techniques?

Infection, Genetics and Evolution — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Alvarez-Buylla A, Culebras E, Picazo JJ Abstract Acinetobacter spp. has become a leading cause of nosocomial infection in recent years. Phenotypic similarities between the species in the genus have made it difficult to identify them clearly using routine diagnostic methods. Consequently, more relevant species have been grouped together as Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex (A. baumannii, A. calcoaceticus, Acinetobacter genospecies 3 and A. genospecies 13TU). However, there are other species that may also have clinical significance. The aims of this study were to establish the usefulness of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the identification of Acinetobacter species by comparison with tw...

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Antibiotic resistance islands in A320 (RUH134), the reference strain for Acinetobacter baumannii global clone 2

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Transposons that target a specific position in comM play an important role in the import of antibiotic resistance genes into members of both of the globally disseminated A. baumannii clones. The organization of the A320/RUH134 island differs from the AbaR3 type. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Comment on: AbaR4 replaces AbaR3 in a carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolate belonging to global clone 1 from an Australian hospital

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

AbaR4 replaces AbaR3 in a carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolate belonging to global clone 1 from an Australian hospital--author's response

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

[The current pathogen spectrum - what are we fighting against?].

Der Orthopade — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Scheithauer S, Häfner H, Lemmen SW Abstract Surgical site infections are mainly caused by bacteria from the patients' skin or gut flora representing endogenous infections. In orthopedic and trauma surgery the skin commensals dominate and as a consequence Gram-positive bacteria are the main pathogens, particularly S. aureus. Additionally and especially in the case of foreign body infections, less virulent pathogens, e.g. coagulase-negative staphylococci play an important role.Due to newer microbiological techniques in detecting pathogens the spectrum of causative organisms is steadily increasing. As known for other nosocomial infections the relevance of multidrug resistant bacteria in surgical site infections is growing and the key player is methicillin-resistant S. aureus...

Mortality Attributable to Carbapenem-Resistant Nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii Infections in a Turkish University Hospital.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study was performed to compare the mortality associated with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and carbapenem-sensitive A. baumannii (CSAB) infections, to identify potential risk factors for CRAB infections, and to investigate the effects of potential risk factors on mortality in CRAB and CSAB patients. This retrospective case-control study was conducted in a university hospital between January 1, 2005 and December 30, 2006. One hundred and ten patients with CRAB and 55 patients with CSAB infection were identified during the study period. The mortality rate was 61.8% and 52.7% in CRAB and CSAB cases, respectively (P = 0.341). In CRAB cases, the risk factors for mortality were identified as intubation (odds ratio [OR], 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-10.1; P = ...

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Virulence, Resistance Genes, and Transformation Amongst Environmental Isolates of Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter spp.

Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Doughari HJ, Ndakidemi PA, Human IS, Benade S Abstract The association of verotoxic E. coli and Acinetobacter spp. with various antibiotic-resistant, diarrhogenic, and nosocomial infections has been a cause for concern worldwide. E. coli and A. haemolyticus isolated on a number of selective media were screened for virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and transformation of resistance genes. Out of 69 E. coli isolates obtained, 25 (35.23%), 14 (20.30%), and 28 (40.58%) were positive for Vtx1&2, Vtx1, and Vtx2, respectively, 49 (71.015%) for extendedspectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), 34 (49.28%) for serum resistance, 57 (82.61%) for cell surface hydrophobicity, 48 (69.57%) for gelatinase production, and 37 (53.62%) for hemolysin production. For t...

Genome‐wide selection for increased copy number in Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1: locus and context‐dependent variation in gene amplification

Molecular Microbiology — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryRenewed interest in gene amplification stems from its importance in evolution and a variety of medical problems ranging from drug resistance to cancer. However, amplified DNA segments (amplicons) are not fully characterized in any organism. Here we report a novel Acinetobacter baylyi system for genome‐wide studies. Amplification mutants that consume aromatic compounds were selected under conditions requiring high‐level expression from three promoters in a linked set of chromosomal genes. Tools were developed to relocate these catabolic genes to any non‐essential chromosomal position, and 49 amplification mutants from five genomic contexts were characterized. Amplicon size (18–271 kb) and copy number (2–105) indicated that 30% of mutants carried more than 1 Mb of amplif...

Characterization of the Acinetobacter baumannii Growth Phase‐Dependent and Serum Responsive Transcriptomes

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractAcinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a bacterial pathogen of considerable healthcare concern. Yet, little is known about the organism's basic biological processes and the regulatory networks that module expression of its virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Using Affymetrix GeneChips® we comprehensively defined and compared the transcriptomes of two A. baumannii strains, ATCC17978 and 98‐37‐09, during exponential and stationary phase growth in Luria‐Bertani (LB) medium. Results revealed that in addition to expected growth phase‐associated metabolic changes, several putative virulence factors were dramatically regulated in a growth phase‐dependent manner. Because a common feature between the two most severe types of A. baumannii infection, pneumonia and septicem...

Bioremediation of chromium by novel strains Enterobacter aerogenes T2 and Acinetobacter sp. PD 12 S2.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research International — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The strain E. aerogenes can be used in bioremediation of Cr (VI) since it could work in actual environmental conditions with extraordinarily high capacity. PMID: 22203402 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International)

Trends in the Susceptibility of Clinically Important Resistant Bacteria to Tigecycline: Results from the Tigecycline In-vitro Surveillance in Taiwan (TIST), 2006-2010.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chen YH, Lu PL, Huang CH, Liao CH, Lu CT, Chuang YC, Tsao SM, Chen YS, Liu YC, Chen WY, Jang TN, Lin HC, Chen CM, Shi ZY, Pan SC, Yang CL, Kung HC, Liu CE, Cheng YJ, Liu JW, Sun W, Wang LS, Ko WC, Yu KW, Chiang PC, Lee MH, Lee CM, Hsu GJ, Hsueh PR Abstract The Tigecycline In-vitro Surveillance in Taiwan (TIST), a nationwide, prospective surveillance during 2006 to 2010, collected a total of 7,793 clinical isolates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (n=1,834), penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) (n=423), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) (n=219), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (n=1,141), ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=1,330), Acinetobacter baumannii (n=1,645), and Stenotrophomonas ma...

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Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling and genomic diversity of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a teaching hospital in Malaysia.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:27:37 +0100

Authors: Kong BH, Hanifah YA, Yusof MY, Thong KL Abstract The resistance phenotypes and genomic diversity of 185 Acinetobacter baumannii isolates obtained from the intensive care unit (ICU) of a local teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur from 2006 to 2009 were determined using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Antibiogram analyses showed that the isolates were fully resistant to β-lactam antimicrobials and had high resistance rates to the other antimicrobial agents tested. However, the isolates were susceptible to polymyxin B. Resistance to cefoperazone/sulbactam was only detected in strains isolated from 2007 to 2009. Some environmental isolates and an isolate from the hands of a healthcare worker (HCW) had identical resistance profile...

Class 2 Integrons Dissemination Among Multidrug Resistance (MDR) Clones of Acinetobacter baumannii.

Current Microbiology — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ramírez MS, Morales A, Vilacoba E, Márquez C, Centrón D Abstract Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a serious problem in the hospital environment at a global scale. Previous results from our laboratory showed a high frequency of class 2 integrons in A. baumannii strains from Argentina regarding the low rate of this element in A. baumannii isolates from the rest of the world. To reveal the current epidemiology of class 2 integrons, a molecular surveillance analyzing 78 multidrug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii isolates from Argentina and Uruguay was performed, exposing the presence of class 2 integron in the 36.61% of the isolates. Class 2 integron characterization showed that the typical Tn7::In2-7 array was present in 26 out of 27 intI2 positive isolates. All intI2 po...

Increasing antibiotic activity against a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter spp by essential oils of Citrus limon and Cinnamomum zeylanicum.

Natural Product Research — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Guerra FQ, Mendes JM, Sousa JP, Morais-Braga MF, Santos BH, Melo Coutinho HD, Lima ED Abstract The genus Acinetobacter has gained importance in recent years due to involvement in serious infections and antimicrobial resistance. Many plants have been evaluated not only for direct antimicrobial activity, but also as resistance modifying agents. The Essential oil of Citrus limon (EOCL) addition at 156.25 µgmL(-1) (MIC/8) sub-inhibitory concentration in the growth medium led to MIC decrease for amikacin, imipenem and meropenem. The Essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (EOCZ) addition at 78.125 µg mL(-1) (MIC/8) sub-inhibitory concentrations in the growth medium caused drastic MIC reduction of amikacin. Results of combining antibiotics and essential oils had shown us ...

In vitro activity of tigecycline and comparators against Gram-negative pathogens isolated from blood in Europe (2004–2009)

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Here we report on the antimicrobial resistance amongst Gram-negative isolates (excluding Acinetobacter spp.) collected from blood culture sources at European study sites as part of the global Tigecycline Evaluation and Surveillance Trial (T.E.S.T.) from the study start in 2004 until August 2009. All isolates were collected and tested for minimum inhibitory concentrations using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute methodology. Over the collection period, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production was recorded in 21.1% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 2.6% of Klebsiella oxytoca and 11.3% of Escherichia coli, primarily in Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republic. ESBL rates stabilised amongst K. pneumoniae over 2006–2009, but doubled amongst E...

PCR-DGGE analysis of the bacterial composition of a kaolin slurry showing altered rheology

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:45:03 +0100

This study provides the first data using a cultivation independent molecular biological approach (PCR-DGGE) regarding the bacterial composition of an altered kaolin slurry. The results show that potential exopolymer (EPS) producer bacteria (e.g. Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas) appear in the altered kaolin slurry, which may have an important role in the modification of kaolin slurries. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Short CommunicationPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s11274-011-0976-zAuthors Ildikó Papp, Department of Materials Development, Bay-Logi, Bay Zoltán Foundation for Applied Research, Iglói u. 2, 3519 Miskolctapolca, HungaryMargit Balázs, Institute for Biotechnology, Bay Zoltán Foundation for Applied Research, Derkovits fasor 2, 6726 Szeged, HungaryEtelka Tombácz, Department o...

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Identification of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase gene (NDM-1) from a clinical isolate of Acinetobacter junii in China

Canadian Journal of Microbiology — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:05:13 +0100

Canadian Journal of Microbiology, Volume 0, Issue 0, e-First articles. (Source: Canadian Journal of Microbiology)

The antimicrobial efficacy of silver on antibiotic‐resistant bacteria isolated from burn wounds

International Wound Journal — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The antibiotic‐resistant bacteria are a major concern to wound care because of their ability to resist many of the antibiotics used today to treat infections. Consequently, other antimicrobials, in particular ionic silver, are considered ideal topical agents for effectively helping to manage and prevent local infections. Little is known about the antimicrobial efficacy of ionic silver on antibiotic‐resistant bacteria at different pH values. Consequently, in this study our aim was to evaluate the effect of pH on the antimicrobial efficacy of a silver alginate (SA) and a silver carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) dressing on antibiotic‐resistant bacteria isolated from burn patients. Forty‐nine antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, including Vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecium, meticill...

Inhibition of Bacterial Growth and Biofilm Production by Constituents from Hypericum spp.

Phytotherapy Research — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Biofilm embedded bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii are difficult to eradicate and are major sources of bacterial infections. New drugs are needed to combat these pathogens. Hypericum is a plant genus that contains species known to have antimicrobial properties. However, the specific constituents responsible for the antimicrobial properties are not entirely known, nor have most compounds been tested as inhibitors of biofilm development. The investigation presented here tested seven secondary metabolites isolated from the species Hypericum densiflorum, Hypericum ellipticum, Hypericum prolificum, and Hypericum punctatum as inhibitors of bacterial growth and biofilm production. Assays were conducted against St...

Changes in MIC Within a Global Collection of Acinetobacter baumannii Collected as Part of the Tigecycline Evaluation and Surveillance Trial, 2004 to 2009.

Clinical Therapeutics — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that resistance is increasing among clinical isolates of A baumannii globally. Although resistance to tigecycline has been reported in the treatment of infections caused by A baumannii, it retains in vitro activity against this pathogen. PMID: 22177546 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Therapeutics)

Atraumatic splenic rupture in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: Report of a case occurred during treatment with 5-azacitidine and review of the literature

Leukemia Research — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

A 62-year old Caucasian woman with a previous history of arterial hypertension, dilative cardiomyopathy and cerebral transient ischemic attack, was admitted to our Department because of marked fatigue, in the absence of fever or hemorrhage. The complete blood count (CBC) revealed pancytopenia, with white blood cell (WBC) count 0.8×109/L in the absence of circulating blasts, hemoglobin (Hb) level 5.4g/dl and platelet (Plt) count 78×109/L, without signs of coagulopathy. Neither hepatomegaly nor splenomegaly were observed on abdominal ultrasonography. The morphological, cytochemical and immunophenotypic analyses performed on peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy documented features consistent with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Conventional G-banding showed a norm...

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Generation of anti-tumour immune response using dendritic cells pulsed with carbonic anhydrase IX-Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A fusion proteins against renal cell carcinoma.

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:07:35 +0100

In this study, in order to generate a potent anti-tumour immune response against RCC, we produced recombinant CA9-Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A (AbOmpA) fusion proteins, designated CA9-AbOmpA, and investigated the ability of DCs pulsed with CA9-AbOmpA fusion proteins in a murine renal cell carcinoma (RENCA) model. A recombinant CA9-AbOmpA fusion protein was composed of a unique proteoglycan-related region of CA9 (1-120 amino acids) fused at the C-terminus with transmembrane domain of AbOmpA (1-200 amino acids). This fusion protein was capable of inducing DC maturation and interleukin (IL)-12 production in DCs. Interaction of DCs pulsed with CA9-AbOmpA fusion proteins with naive T cells stimulated secretion of IL-2, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α ...

Disruption of the blaOXA-51-like gene by ISAba16 and activation of the blaOXA-58 gene leading to carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii Ab244

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions This is the first report showing ISAba16-mediated inactivation of the blaOXA-132 gene in strain Ab244. The resistance to carbapenems in strain Ab244 is related to the acquisition of the blaOXA-58 gene, here governed by an ISAba3-like element. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Genetic characterization of an extended-spectrum AmpC cephalosporinase with hydrolysing activity against fourth-generation cephalosporins in a clinical isolate of Enterobacter aerogenes selected in vivo

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions We characterized an ESAC β-lactamase selected in vivo and conferring a high level of resistance to fourth-generation cephalosporins in E. aerogenes. The broadened spectrum was caused by a new modification to the H-10 helix, which modified the active site. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

In vitro antimicrobial studies of silver carbene complexes: activity of free and nanoparticle carbene formulations against clinical isolates of pathogenic bacteria

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The four SCCs described here, including their development as NP therapies, show great promise for treating a wide variety of bacterial and fungal pathogens that are not easily killed by routine antimicrobial agents. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

AbaR-type transposon structures in Acinetobacter baumannii

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

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In Vitro Activity of Antibiotic Combinations against Multidrug Resistant Strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and the Effects of their Antibiotic Resistance Determinants

FEMS Microbiology Letters — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractVarious combinations of antibiotics are reported to show synergy to treat nosocomial infections with multidrug resistant (MDR)‐Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii). Here we studied hospital‐acquired outbreak strains of MDR‐A. baumannii to evaluate the optimal combinations of antibiotics. One hundred twenty‐one strains were grouped into one major and one minor clonal group based on repetitive‐polymerase chain reaction (rep‐PCR) amplification. Twenty representative strains were tested for antibiotic synergy using Etest®. Five strains were further analyzed by analytical isoelectric focusing and PCR to identify β‐lactamase resistance or other antibiotic resistance determinants. Our investigation showed that the outbreak strains of MDR‐A. baumannii belonged to two do...

Outbreak of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex harboring different carbapenemase gene-associated genetic structures in an intensive care unit.

Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: A. baumannii isolates carrying different carbapenemase genes and their associated genetic structures might be transmitted or selected in different ways. PMID: 22169123 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection)

Agreement Assessment of Tigecycline Susceptibilities Determined by the Disk Diffusion and Broth Microdilution Methods among Commonly Encountered Resistant Bacterial Isolates: Results from the Tigecycline In-vitro Surveillance in Taiwan [TIST] Study, 2008-2010.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study compared the in-vitro activity of tigecycline against 3,014 isolates of clinically important drug-resistant bacteria using the standard broth microdilution and disk diffusion methods. Species studied included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, n=759), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE, n=191), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (n=602), ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=736), and Acinetobacter baumannii (n=726) that had been collected from patients treated between 2008 and 2010 at 20 hospitals in Taiwan. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and inhibition zone diameters were interpreted according to the currently recommended US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) criteria and the European Committee on Antimic...

In vitro activity of antibiotic combinations against multidrug‐resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and the effects of their antibiotic resistance determinants

FEMS Microbiology Letters — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractVarious combinations of antibiotics are reported to show synergy in treating nosocomial infections with multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii). Here, we studied hospital‐acquired outbreak strains of MDR A. baumannii to evaluate optimal combinations of antibiotics. One hundred and twenty‐one strains were grouped into one major and one minor clonal group based on repetitive PCR amplification. Twenty representative strains were tested for antibiotic synergy using Etest®. Five strains were further analyzed by analytical isoelectric focusing and PCR to identify β‐lactamase genes or other antibiotic resistance determinants. Our investigation showed that the outbreak strains of MDR A. baumannii belonged to two dominant clones. A combination of colist...

11-Chloro-3-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-a]acridine (CMIA) as a potent and selective antimicrobial agent against clinical isolates of highly antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:54:48 +0100

Abstract Acinetobacter baumannii is an increasingly nosocomial pathogen throughout the world, and the occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) species is increasing. The aim of this study is to present the antimicrobial effects of a newly synthesized imidazoacridine, 11-chloro-3-methyl-3H-imidazo(4,5-a)acridine (CMIA), against MDR clinical isolates of A. baumannii. Standard dilution tube-test assay was performed to determine the MBC of CMIA for 91 clinical isolates of highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria with 28 of A. baumannii in them. The MBCs of CMIA ranged from 2.0 to 10.9 mg/l for Acinetobacter isolates while it was more than 47.9 mg/l for other clinical strains. The findings demonstrate that CMIA is a potent and selective antimicrobial agent against clinical ...

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NK1.1+ cells regulate neutrophil migration in mice with Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia

Microbiology and Immunology — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we identified the cells infiltrating the lungs of mice with Acinetobacter pneumonia and analyzed their response to infection. Normal mice eradicated the A. baumannii infection within 3 days of inoculation. Neutrophils were rapidly recruited to the lungs, followed by macrophages and NK1.1+ cells. Neutrophil‐depleted mice showed acute and severe symptoms, and all of the mice died within 3 days of inoculation. The majority of macrophage‐depleted mice responded in a similar manner to the control mice. These results indicate that neutrophils are essential for the elimination of A. baumannii. Half of NK1.1+ cell‐depleted mice died within 1 day of inoculation and the number of infiltrating neutrophils was lower than that in control mice up until 3 days post‐inoculation. Mor...

Clonal spread of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in eastern Taiwan.

Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: This study confirms the high prevalence of resistance to rifampicin and tigecycline in MDR A baumannii in the three hospitals that were studied, and the high proportion of identical strains that exist in eastern Taiwan. PMID: 22154678 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection)

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Among Gram-Negative Isolates Collected From Intensive Care Units in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific Rim, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa Between 2004 and 2009 as Part of the Tigecycline Evaluation and Surveillance Trial.

Clinical Therapeutics — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial resistance among gram-negative intensive care unit isolates was highly variable between geographic regions. The carbapenems were active in vitro against Enterobacteriaceae, A baumannii and P aeruginosa, and tigecycline continued to be active in vitro against members of the Enterobacteriaceae and A baumannii collected from intensive care units in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific Rim, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. PMID: 22154196 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Therapeutics)

Amino acid substitutions of quinolone resistance determining regions in GyrA and ParC associated with quinolone resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter genomic species 13TU.

Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: A baumannii and AGS 13TU possessed similar quinolone resistance associated with amino acid substitutions in GyrA and ParC. Further study with more strains is needed to determine whether a single Ser83Leu substitution in GyrA was associated with a high level of quinolone MIC only in A baumannii, but not in AGS 13TU. PMID: 22153765 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection)

Tn125-related acquisition of blaNDM-like genes in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Poirel L, Bonnin RA, Boulanger A, Schrenzel J, Kaase M, Nordmann P Abstract A multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolate recovered from a patient hospitalized in Switzerland after a transfer from Serbia produced the NDM-1 carbapenemase. The bla(NDM-1) gene was part of a chromosomally-located Tn125 composite transposon bracketed by two copies of the same insertion sequence ISAba125. This transposon was also associated to the acquisition and the expression of the bla(NDM-2) gene in an A. baumannii isolate in Germany. Tn125 appears to be the main vehicle for dissemination of bla(NDM) genes in that species. PMID: 22143526 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)

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Generation of anti‐tumour immune response using dendritic cells pulsed with carbonic anhydrase IX‐Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A fusion proteins against renal cell carcinoma

Clinical and Experimental Immunology — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 23:51:51 +0100

In this study, in order to generate a potent anti‐tumour immune response against RCC, we produced recombinant CA9‐Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A (AbOmpA) fusion proteins, designated CA9‐AbOmpA, and investigated the ability of DCs pulsed with CA9‐AbOmpA fusion proteins in a murine renal cell carcinoma (RENCA) model. A recombinant CA9‐AbOmpA fusion protein was composed of a unique proteoglycan‐related region of CA9 (1–120 amino acids) fused at the C‐terminus with transmembrane domain of AbOmpA (1–200 amino acids). This fusion protein was capable of inducing DC maturation and interleukin (IL)‐12 production in DCs. Interaction of DCs pulsed with CA9‐AbOmpA fusion proteins with naive T cells stimulated secretion of IL‐2, interferon (IFN)‐γ and tumour...

A Diversity of OXA-Carbapenemases and Class 1 Integrons Among Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates from Sweden Belonging to Different International Clonal Lineages

Microbial Drug Resistance — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:53:01 +0100

Microbial Drug Resistance Dec 2011, Vol. 17, No. 4: 545-549. (Source: Microbial Drug Resistance)

Clinical Impacts of a Single Clone (Sequence Type 92) of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Intensive Care Units

Microbial Drug Resistance — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:52:53 +0100

Microbial Drug Resistance Dec 2011, Vol. 17, No. 4: 559-562. (Source: Microbial Drug Resistance)

Clinical and molecular microbiological characteristics of carbapenem‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains in an NICU

Pediatrics International — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: BlaOXA‐23 was the drug‐resistant gene that made A. baumannii resistant to carbepenem. The source of blaOXA‐23 in the 17 isolates was different. (Source: Pediatrics International)

Diversity of aminoglycoside modifying enzyme genes among multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii genotypes isolated from nosocomial infections in Tehran hospitals and their association with class 1 integrons.

Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Asadollahi K, Taherikalani M, Maleki A, Alizadeh E, Valadbaigi H, Soroush S, Maleki H, Asadollahi P, Emaneini M Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate, for the first time, the diversity of the genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AME) and their association with class 1 integrons in Iranian Acinetobacter baumannii strains.A total of 100 multidrug resistant A. baumannii, isolated from eight distinct hospitals in Tehran, were enrolled in this study. Susceptibility of these isolates to antimicrobial agents including gentamicin and amikacin was determined by E-test. Aminoglycoside resistant isolates were then tested by PCR for AME genes, including aphA6, aacC1, aacC2, aacA4, aadB, aadA1, classes 1 integron, 5'-CS-3' and typed by RAPD PCR.The rate o...

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Antimicrobial activity of doripenem against Gram-negative pathogens: results from INVITA-A-DORI Brazilian study.

Braz J Infect Dis — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, doripenem showed similar in vitro activity to that of meropenem and retained some activity against imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolated from Brazilian medical centers. PMID: 22218508 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Braz J Infect Dis)

[The comparison of patients with hospitalized health-care-associated pneumonia to community-acquired pneumonia].

Tuberkuloz ve Toraks — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Taşbakan MS, Bacakoğlu F, Kaçmaz Başoğlu O, Gürgün A, Başarık B, Citim Tuncel S, Sayıner A Abstract Health-care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) is defined as pneumonia that develops in patients with a history of recent hospitalization, hemodialysis as an outpatient, residence in a nursing home, outpatient intravenous therapy and home wound care. We aimed to compare the initial demographic characteristics, causative agents and prognosis between hospitalized HCAP and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients. HCAP and CAP patients hospitalized between 01 September 2008-01 September 2009 were evaluated retrospectively. Out of 187 patients (131 males, mean age 66.3 ± 14.3 years) who were hospitalized during one-year period, 98 were diagnosed as HCAP and 89 as CAP. Amo...

Oral Microflora: A Comparative Study in HIV and Normal Patients

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:38:46 +0100

Abstract The study was designed to compare the oral microbiota in normal and HIV-infected individuals. The study tries to establish a significant shift in oral microflora in HIV-infected patients. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed to establish any rise in resistance against the antibiotics. It was a two and half year prospective study conducted in a tertiary care centre. The study group consisted of eighty subjects divided into two groups of control and HIV. The age range for this group was 9–75 years. The mean age in this group was 39.7 years. The male:female ratio was 2.75:1. Tuberculosis was the most common opportunistic infection in patients with HIV infection. The most common commensal micro organism isolated was the Viridans streptococci in 60%...

Inactivation of bacterial opportunistic skin pathogens by non‐thermal DC operated afterglow atmospheric plasma

Letters in Applied Microbiology — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:48 +0100

Conclusions: Direct plasma exposure significantly inactivated seeded bacterial cells by approximately 6 log10 on agar plates and 2‐3 log10 on porcine skin. On agar plates, an indirect “bystander” inactivation outside the plasma delivery area was also observed. The reduced inactivation observed on the skin surface was most likely due to cell protection by the variable surface architecture.Significance and Impact of Study: Atmospheric plasma has potential for clinical application as a disinfectant of patient skin and medically relevant surfaces. (Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology)

Inactivation of bacterial opportunistic skin pathogens by nonthermal DC‐operated afterglow atmospheric plasma

Letters in Applied Microbiology — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Direct plasma exposure significantly inactivated seeded bacterial cells by approx. 6 log10 on agar plates and 2–3 log10 on porcine skin. On agar plates, an indirect ‘bystander’ inactivation outside the plasma delivery area was also observed. The reduced inactivation observed on the skin surface was most likely due to cell protection by the variable surface architecture.Significance and Impact of Study: Atmospheric plasma has potential for clinical application as a disinfectant of patient skin and medically relevant surfaces. (Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology)

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Distinctive Attributes of β-Lactam Target Proteins in Acinetobacter baumannii Relevant to Development of New Antibiotics

Journal of the American Chemical Society — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:03:59 +0100

Journal of the American Chemical SocietyDOI: 10.1021/ja208835z (Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society)

Acinetobacter baumannii is Able to Gain and Maintain a Plasmid Harbouring In35 Found in Enterobacteriaceae Isolates From Argentina.

Current Microbiology — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ramírez MS, Merkier AK, Quiroga MP, Centrón D Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the presence of bla (CTX-M-2) in our A. baumannii population and their putative role as an alternative mechanism of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins in this species. The bla (CTX-M-2) gene is widespread among the Enterobacteriaceae isolates from our country; however, it was not found in 76 isolates A. baumannii non-epidemiologically related clinical isolates resistant to third-generation cephalosporins isolated since 1982 in hospitals from Buenos Aires City. A plasmid isolated from Proteus mirabilis that possesses the complex class 1 integron In35::ISCR1::bla (CTX-M-2) was used to transform the natural competent A. baumannii clinical st...

Old forgotten antibiotics: Do we need them? Category: Scientific free paper

Journal of Infection — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:05:45 +0100

The continuously increasing problem of antibacterial resistance is well understood and much feared for its potential consequences . Clinicians often face problems in choosing appropriate antibiotic therapy for treating infections caused by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, because these pathogens are often resistant to several classes of antibiotics. Drug-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp,, are increasingly isolated from patients with serious infections and are associated with considerable mortality. New effective treatment solutions are not likely to be forthcoming in the foreseeable future so we should re-evaluate forgotten ...

Overexpression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of the periplasmic domain of outer membrane protein A from Acinetobacter baumannii

Acta Crystallographica Section F — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, the recombinant C-terminal periplasmic domain of AbOmpA was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized using the vapour-diffusion method. A native diffraction data set was collected to a resolution of 2.0 Å using synchrotron radiation. The space group of the crystal was P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 58.24, b = 98.59, c = 97.96 Å, β = 105.92°. The native crystal contained seven or eight molecules per asymmetric unit and had a calculated Matthews coefficient of 2.93 or 2.56 Å3 Da−1. (Source: Acta Crystallographica Section F)

Reducing the development of antibiotic resistance in critical care units.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This article gives an overview of the mechanisms of antibacterial resistance and actual resistance data worldwide of the most prevalent Gram positive (MRSA, VISA/VRSE and VRE) and Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp., ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia). Furthermore, strategies to reduce antibiotic resistance are reviewed. Most important is institution of infection control policies including guidelines on surveillance, isolation of colonized patients and contact precautions, hand hygiene, decolonization measures and environmental decontamination. Antimicrobial stewardship, or striking the balance between an optimal antibiotic treatment for a patient and a minimal risk of development of antibiotic resistance, is another important...

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Diverse DNA damage responses in Acinetobacter include the capacity for DNA damage-induced mutagenesis in the opportunistic pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter ursingii.

Microbiology — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hare J, Bradley J, Lin CL, Elam T Abstract Error-prone and error-free DNA damage repair responses that are induced in most bacteria after exposure to various chemicals, antibiotics, or radiation sources were surveyed across the Acinetobacter genus. The error prone SOS mutagenesis response occurs when DNA damage induces a cell's umuDC- or dinP-encoded error-prone polymerases. The model Acinetobacter baylyi strain ADP1 possesses an unusual, regulatory umuD allele (umuDAb) with an extended 5' region, and only incomplete fragments of umuC. Diverse Acinetobacter species were investigated for the type and presence of umuDC and their ability to conduct UV-induced mutagenesis. Unlike ADP1, most Acinetobacter strains possessed multiple umuD-umuC loci containing either umuDAb or an ...

Colistin therapy in critically ill patients with chronic renal failure and its effect on development of renal dysfunction

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, in critically ill patients with CRF, colistin therapy, although used at a reduced dosage, was as effective as in patients without CRF. (Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)

Bloodstream infection in heart transplant recipients: 12-year experience at a university hospital in Taiwan [Original articles]

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: There was a high incidence of BSI after heart transplantation in Taiwan, especially infections caused by Enterobacter species and A. baumannii. Mortality was high in patients with infection caused by Pseudomonas, Candida, and Cryptococcus and in patients with severe sepsis. (Source: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery)

Emergence of resistance to carbapenems in Acinetobacter baumannii in Europe: clinical impact and therapeutic options

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Despite having a reputation of low virulence, Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen responsible for community- and hospital-acquired infections that are difficult to control and treat. Interest in this pathogen emerged about one decade ago because of its natural MDR phenotype, its capability of acquiring new mechanisms of resistance and the existence of nosocomial outbreaks. Recent advances in molecular biology, including full genome sequencing of several A. baumannii isolates, has led to the discovery of the extraordinary plasticity of their genomes, which is linked to their great propensity to adapt to any environment, including hospitals. In this context, as well as the increasing antimicrobial resistance amongst A. baumannii isolates to the...

Genetic Diversity of Endophytic Diazotrophs of the Wild Rice, Oryza alta and Identification of the New Diazotroph, Acinetobacter oryzae sp. nov.

Microbial Ecology — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chaudhary HJ, Peng G, Hu M, He Y, Yang L, Luo Y, Tan Z Abstract Thirty-three endophytic diazotrophs were isolated from surface-sterilized leaves, stem, and roots of wild rice Oryza alta. The SDS-PAGE profile of total protein and insertion sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) fingerprinting grouped the isolates into four clusters (I-IV). The 16S rRNA gene sequence homology of the representative strains B21, B31, B1, and B23 of clusters I, II, III, and IV were assigned to Pseudomonas oleovorans (99.2% similarity), Burkholderia fungorum (99.4% similarity), Enterobacter cloacae (98.9% similarity), and Acinetobacter johnsonii (98.4% similarity), respectively. The results showed wide genetic diversity of the putative diazotrophic strains of the wild rice, O. alta, a...

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Activity of tigecycline and comparators against skin and skin structure pathogens: global results of the Tigecycline Evaluation and Surveillance Trial, 2004–2009

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The problem of antimicrobial resistance is demonstrated by the data presented. T.E.S.T. continues to provide valuable information on antimicrobial resistance globally. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

Synergistic activity of sulbactam combined with colistin against colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we report the in vitro synergistic activity of a combination of colistin with sulbactam against colistin-resistant A. baumannii strains. (Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the medicinal plant Mentha cervina L. grown in Portugal

Medicinal Chemistry Research — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:54:11 +0100

Abstract Mentha cervina is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Portugal in folk medicine, in different gastric disorders and inflammations of the respiratory tract. In order to validate those traditional uses, M. cervina essential oils (EOs) were characterized by GC and GC–MS and their antimicrobial activity was tested against 23 bacterial strains (including multiresistant strains). The EOs were dominated by the monoterpenes pulegone (52–75%), isomenthone (8–24%), limonene (4–6%), and menthone (1–2%). The antibacterial activity of these EOs was compared to that of the main components standards. The most effective antibacterial activity was expressed by the EOs against the Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumanni, with MIC values of ...

NDM‐2 carbapenemase‐producing Acinetobacter baumannii in the United Arab Emirates

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractScreening 155 carbapenem non‐susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii strains recovered in Abu Dhabi hospitals identified two metallo‐ß‐lactamase blaNDM gene‐carrying isolates. They were isolated 4 months apart from the urine of a cancer patient previously treated in Egypt, Lebanon and in the United Arab Emirates. They were clonally‐related and carried the blaNDM‐2 gene recently identified in A. baumannii in Egypt and Israel. Sequences surrounding the blaNDM‐2 gene showed significant similarities with those associated with blaNDM‐1 in Enterobacteriaceae and A. baumannii. Repeated isolation of blaNDM‐2‐positive A. baumannii in the Middle East raises the possibility of the local emergence and spread of a unique clone. (Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection)

Comparative evaluation of intratracheal colistimethate sodium, imipenem, and meropenem in BALB/c mice with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Summary: Objective: The identification of the optimal agent for administration via the respiratory tract when treating pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB).Methods: A murine model of acute CRAB pneumonia was established by intratracheal (i.t.) inoculation with 2.5×107 colony-forming units (CFU) of A. baumannii strain Ab396 plus 10% porcine mucin. After 4h the infected BALB/c mice were treated intratracheally with 25μl of either 0.85% saline (control group), colistimethate sodium (CMS) (166 666 U/kg, CMS group), imipenem/cilastatin (30/30mg/kg, imipenem group), or meropenem (20mg/kg, meropenem group), every 8h. The therapeutic efficacy of these agents was examined.Results: A. baumannii strain Ab396 was susceptible to CMS only. However, meropenem treatme...

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Nosocomial Infections in Burned Patients in Motahari Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Advances in Bioinformatics — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:34:28 +0100

The objective of the present study was to identify the causative bacterial of nosocomial infection and to determine the incidence of nosocomial infection and their changing during hospitalization in burned patients admitted to in the Motahari Hospital, Tehran, Iran. During the second part of 2010, 164 patients were included in this study. Samples were taken the first 48 hours and the fourth week after admission to Motahari Burn hospital. Isolation and identification of microorganisms was performed using the standard procedure. Of the 164 patients, 717 samples were taken and 812 bacteria were identified, 610 patients were culture positive on day 7 while 24 (17.2%) on 14 days after admission. The bacteria causing infections were 325 Pseudomonas, 140 Acinetobacter, 132 Staphylococcus aure...

Emergence of Carbapenem-Resistant Non-Acinetobacter baumannii Species of the Genus Acinetobacter Harboring a blaOXA-51-Like Gene that Is Intrinsic to A. baumannii.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lee YT, Kuo SC, Chiang MC, Yang SP, Chen CP, Chen TL, Fung CP Abstract The bla(OXA-51)-like gene, originally intrinsic to Acinetobacter baumannii, had been detected in two clones of Acinetobacter nosocomialis and one clone of Acinetobacter genomic species 'Close to 13TU'. These bla(OXA-51)-like genes, all preceded by ISAba1, were located on plasmids that might be originated from A. baumannii. The plasmid-borne ISAba1- bla(OXA-51)-like confers a high level of carbapenem resistance, and affects the accuracy of using bla(OXA-51)-like detection as a tool for differentiating A. baumannii from other Acinetobacter species. PMID: 22083478 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)

Evolution of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clonal lineages: a 10 year study in Greece (2000-09)

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The emergence of MDR A. baumannii in Greece was associated with CC1 and CC2, which are disseminated worldwide, often harbouring the blaOXA-58 gene. Novel 3LST alleles and STs were also detected, underlining an evolutionary divergence in Greece. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Use of Adherence Monitors as Part of a Team Approach to Control Clonal Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Research Hospital

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:31:54 +0100

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Volume 32, Issue 12, Page 1166-1172, December 2011. (Source: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue)

Acinetobacter insertion sequence ISAba11 belongs to a novel family that encodes transposases with a signature HHEK motif.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rieck B, Tourigny DS, Crosatti M, Schmid R, Kochar M, Harrison EM, Ou HY, Turton JF, Rajakumar K Abstract Experimental and in silico PCR analysis targeting ISAba11 and TnAbaR islands in 196 epidemiologically-unrelated Acinetobacter strains representative of ≥ 19 species were performed. The first two A. baumannii ISAba11 elements identified had been found to map to an identical site on TnAbaR transposons. However, no further evidence of physical linkage between the two elements was demonstrated. Indeed, examination of 25 definite or putative insertion sites suggested limited sequence specificity. Importantly, an aacC1-tagged version of ISAba11 was shown to actively transpose in A. baumannii. Similarity searches identified nine iso-ISAba11 elements in Acinetobacter, one in...

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Laboratory evaluation of the ESwab transport system for the recovery of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:49:31 +0100

Abstract Microbiological surveillance for detection of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii is important, but recovery of A. baumannii is inadequate. We studied A. baumannii recovery by a particular transport system that is possibly superior over standard swabs, using reference and clinical strains. First, the recovery rates relating to the various swabs were compared with regard to various combinations of transport times (0 h, 1 h, 24 h, 48 h), storage times (0 weeks, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks) and storage temperatures (4°c,−80°c) using live counts. Second, the recovery of different inocula of strains mixed with fecal microbiota was evaluated by plating on selective medium. The new transport system exhibited a decline of <3log10 un...

Evolution to carbapenem-hydrolyzing activity in noncarbapenemase class D {beta}-lactamase OXA-10 by rational protein design [Microbiology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Class D β-lactamases with carbapenemase activity are emerging as carbapenem-resistance determinants in Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, mostly Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Carbapenemase activity is an unusual feature among class D β-lactamases, and the structural elements responsible for this activity remain unclear. Based on structural and molecular dynamics data, we previously hypothesized a potential role of the residues located in the short-loop connecting strands β5 and β6 (the β5–β6 loop) in conferring the carbapenemase activity of the OXA-48 enzyme. In this work, the narrow-spectrum OXA-10 class D β-lactamase, which is unable to hydrolyze carbapenems, was used as a model to investigate the possibility of evolving carbapenemase activity by replacement...

Molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of rifampicin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from Italy

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, the emergence of elevated RIF MICs in A. baumannii isolates from our geographical area was mostly caused by mutations in rpoB; low to intermediate RIF MICs were also caused by altered membrane permeability to the drug. The phenomenon was contributed by the selection of two prevalent clones both assigned to ST2 genotype. These data may have implications for the correct identification of cases with A. baumannii infection that would not benefit from addition of RIF to COL. (Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)

Prevalence of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli among inpatients from Porto Alegre-RS

Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:45:57 +0100

CONCLUSION: Three hundred twenty-six samples of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli were isolated. The most prevalent species were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (65.03%), Acinetobacter baumannii (16.56%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (9.5%). Other species showed rates lower than 5%. The microorganisms were isolated from several infectious sites and the biological materials that showed higher positivity were the following: tracheal aspirate (38.34%), spittle (18.71%) and urine (15.95%). Bacterial resistance was higher with tetracyclines (89.57%) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (79.75%). The most active antimicrobials were polymyxin B and piperacillin/tazobactam with 100% and 75.2% sensibility, respectively (Source: Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial)

MDR-AB Bacteria Found In 48% Of All Patient Rooms

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0100

A new study has revealed that Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) was found in almost half (48%) of patients rooms who were infected or colonized with the germ. The report is published in the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Acinetobacter baumannii is a species of pathogenic bacteria (aerobic gram-negative bacterium) that is resistant to the majority of antibiotics... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Superbug Found in Half of ICU Rooms (CME/CE)

MedPage Today State Required CME — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- The persistent superbug Acinetobacter baumannii was detectable in nearly half of patient intensive care rooms in a single-hospital study, researchers reported. (Source: MedPage Today State Required CME)

Hospital Rooms Crawling With Drug-Resistant Germs: Study

The Doctors Lounge - Infections — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0100

Nearly half of patient rooms sampled tested positive for Acinetobacter baumannii (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Infections)

Hospital Rooms Crawling with Drug-Resistant Germs

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0100

Nearly half of patient rooms sampled tested positive for Acinetobacter baumannii Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Bacterial Infections, Health Facilities (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Acinetobacter Baumannii Found Growing In Nearly Half Of Infected Patient Rooms

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) was found in the environment of 48 percent of the rooms of patients colonized or infected with the pathogen, according to a new study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of APIC the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. The study examined how frequently the environment surrounding the patient becomes contaminated and which environmental surfaces are most commonly contaminated... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Acinetobacter baumannii found growing in nearly half of infected patient rooms

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Elsevier Health Sciences) Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii was found in the environment of 48 percent of the rooms of patients colonized or infected with the pathogen, according to a new study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of APIC -- the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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Environmental contamination because of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii surrounding colonized or infected patients

American Journal of Infection Control — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: For patients with MDR-AB, the surrounding environment is frequently contaminated, even among patients with a remote history of MDR-AB. Surfaces often touched by health care workers during routine patient care are commonly contaminated and may be a source of nosocomial spread. (Source: American Journal of Infection Control)

In vitro activity of avibactam (NXL104) in combination with β-lactams against Gram-negative bacteria, including OXA-48 β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, combinations of imipenem, cefepime and ceftazidime with avibactam may present a promising therapeutic strategy to treat infections due to K. pneumoniae with OXA-48 enzyme as well as K. pneumoniae and E. coli with CTX-M-15 enzyme. (Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)

Molecular epidemiology and the clinical significance of Acinetobacter baumannii complex isolated from cerebrospinal fluid in neurosurgical intensive care unit patients

Infection — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 05:47:07 +0100

Conclusions The fact that ABC isolates grown from CSF cultures do not always exhibit infection and have high multiple antibiotic resistance, including to carbapenems, should be borne in mind when planning treatment for these patients. In addition, HCWs’ hands may play a significant role in transmission to patients, and compliance with infection control procedures, especially hand washing, must be enhanced in order to avoid ABC infections. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical and Epidemiological StudyPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s15010-011-0215-4Authors G. Bayramoglu, Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Kalkınma Campus, 61080 Trabzon, TurkeyS. Kaya, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty...

Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter spp.: Increasingly Problematic Nosocomial Pathogens.

Yonsei Medical Journal — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:54:44 +0100

Authors: Lee K, Yong D, Jeong SH, Chong Y Abstract Pathogenic bacteria have increasingly been resisting to antimicrobial therapy. Recently, resistance problem has been relatively much worsened in Gram-negative bacilli. Acinetobacter spp. are typical nosocomial pathogens causing infections and high mortality, almost exclusively in compromised hospital patients. Acinetobacter spp. are intrinsically less susceptible to antibiotics than Enterobacteriaceae, and have propensity to acquire resistance. A surveillance study in Korea in 2009 showed that resistance rates of Acinetobacter spp. were very high: to fluoroquinolone 67%, to amikacin 48%, to ceftazidime 66% and to imipenem 51%. Carbapenem resistance was mostly due to OXA type carbapenemase production in A. baumannii isolates, wherea...

Identification of the naturally‐occurring genes encoding carbapenem‐hydrolysing oxacillinases from Acinetobacter haemolyticus, Acinetobacter johnsonii and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

AbstractCarbapenem resistance is increasingly reported among Acinetobacter genus and results mostly from the expression of acquired carbapenem‐hydrolysing oxacillinases (CHDL). Several Acinetobacter species intrinsically possess chromosomal CHDL genes which are A. baumannii (blaOXA‐51), A. radioresistens (blaOXA‐23) and A. lwoffii (blaOXA‐134). We aimed to identify the progenitors of novel CHDL‐encoding genes for identification of potential reservoirs. We performed a PCR screening using degenerated internal primers designed from a sequence alignment of the known CHDLs (OXA‐23, OXA‐40, OXA‐51, OXA‐58, OXA‐134, and OXA‐143) applied to a collection of 50 Acinetobacter sp. strains belonging to twenty‐three different species. Two strains of Acinetobacter johnsonii, one s...

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Identification of the naturally occurring genes encoding carbapenem‐hydrolysing oxacillinases from Acinetobacter haemolyticus, Acinetobacter johnsonii, and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Clin Microbiol InfectAbstractCarbapenem resistance is increasingly being reported among Acinetobacter species, and results mostly from the expression of acquired carbapenem‐hydrolysing oxacillinases (CHDLs). Several Acinetobacter species intrinsically possess chromosomal CHDL genes: Acinetobacter baumannii (blaOXA‐51), Acinetobacter radioresistens (blaOXA‐23), and Acinetobacter lwoffii (blaOXA‐134). We aimed to identify the progenitors of novel CHDL‐encoding genes for identification of potential reservoirs. We performed PCR screening using degenerated internal primers designed from a sequence alignment of the known CHDLs (OXA‐23, OXA‐40, OXA‐51, OXA‐58, OXA‐134, and OXA‐143) applied to a collection of 50 Acinetobacter strains belonging to 23 different species. Two str...

Colistin: Development of colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii infection: case report

Reactions — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:05:17 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Colistin-resistant, lipopolysaccharide-deficient Acinetobacter baumannii responds to lipopolysaccharide loss through increased expression of genes involved in the synthesis and transport of lipoproteins, phospholipids and poly-{beta}-1,6-N-acetylglucosamine.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Henry R, Vithanage N, Harrison P, Seemann T, Coutts S, Moffatt JH, Nation RL, Li J, Harper M, Adler B, Boyce JD Abstract We recently demonstrated that colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii can result from mutational inactivation of genes essential for lipid A biosynthesis. Consequently, strains harboring these mutations are unable to produce the major Gram-negative bacterial surface component, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To understand how A. baumannii compensates for the lack of LPS, we compared the transcriptional profile of the A. baumannii type strain ATCC19606, to that of an isogenic, LPS-deficient, lpxA mutant strain. Analysis of the expression profiles indicated that the LPS-deficient strain showed increased expression of many genes involved in cell envelope a...

Impact of heteroresistance to colistin in meningitis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii

Journal of Infection — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

We read with interest the paper by Li and colleagues concerning colistin hetero-resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates. The incidence of colistin-heteroresistance is still not well known due to its difficult detection. (Source: Journal of Infection)

Pentaclethra macroloba tannins fractions active against methicillin-resistant staphylococcal and Gram-negative strains showing selective toxicity

Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:55:24 +0100

The ethanol extract of the vegetal species Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze, Fabaceae, was fractioned and the antibacterial activity was determined. The active ethyl acetate (ea) fraction showed activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp.) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae) multiresistant bacteria. Gallic acid derivatives were identified as the main compounds in inactive subfractions from the ea fraction, while the active one afforded ellagic acid as the major constituent when submitted to acid hydrolysis reaction, which suggests the presence of hydrolysable tannins. The minimum bactericidal concentration analysis showed a bactericide mechanism of action for the tannin subfraction found. The antibacte...

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Hydrolytic Mechanism of OXA-58 from A. baumanni [Enzymology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

We report here the substrate kinetics and mechanistic characterization of a prominent CHDL, the OXA-58 enzyme, from Acinetobacter baumannii. OXA-58 uses a carbamylated lysine to activate the nucleophilic serine used for β-lactam hydrolysis. The deacylating water molecule approaches the acyl-enzyme species, anchored at this serine (Ser-83), from the α-face. Our data show that OXA-58 retains the catalytic machinery found in class D β-lactamases, of which OXA-10 is representative. Comparison of the homology model of OXA-58 and the recently solved crystal structures of OXA-24 and OXA-48 with the OXA-10 crystal structure suggests that these CHDLs have evolved the ability to hydrolyze imipenem, an important carbapenem in clinical use, by subtle structural changes in the active site. These cha...

Expression vectors for the engineering of genes and genomes in Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Murin CD, Segal K, Bryksin A, Matsumura I Abstract Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 is naturally competent and proficient at homologous recombination, so it can be transformed without restriction digests or ligation reactions. Expression vectors for this system, however, are not yet widely available. Here we describe the construction and charaCterization of inducible expression vectors that replicate as plasmids in A. baylyi, or integrate into a non-essential part of its chromosome. These tools will facilitate the engineering of genes and genomes in this promising model organism. PMID: 22020504 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology)

In vitro time-kill studies of antimicrobial agents against blood isolates of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii including colistin- or tigecycline-resistant isolates.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Peck KR, Kim MJ, Choi JY, Kim HS, Kang CI, Cho YK, Park DW, Lee HJ, Lee MS, Ko KS Abstract The emergence of colistin or tigecycline resistance as well as imipenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii poses a great therapeutic challenge. The bactericidal and synergistic effects of several combinations of antimicrobial agents against imipenem-, colistin-, or tigecycline-resistant A. baumannii isolates were investigated by in vitro time-kill experiments. Six imipenem-resistant A. baumannii blood isolates were examined in this study including colistin- and tigecycline-susceptible, colistin-resistant but tigecycline-susceptible, and colistin-susceptible but tigecycline-resistant isolates. Time-kill studies were performed using five antimicrobial agents in single or combination...

Identification of a novel Acinetobacter baumannii clone in a US hospital outbreak by multilocus polymerase chain reaction/electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: We investigated the relatedness of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a burn intensive care unit (BICU) outbreak, control isolates, and isolates from a previous 2007 outbreak by 3 molecular typing methods (repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction [rep-PCR], broad-range PCR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry [PCR/ESI-MS], and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE]). Partial rpoB gene sequencing confirmed all tested isolates as A. baumannii. Molecular typing analysis showed that 17 of 19 outbreak isolates were indistinguishable or closely related to each other. Three of 4 non-BICU outbreak control isolates and 5 of 6 isolates from the previous outbreak closely matched the BICU outbreak genotype. The outbreak strain represented a novel ...

Guillain–Barré Syndrome following sepsis after stereotactic aspiration for spontaneous pontine hemorrhage

Neurological Sciences — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:03:16 +0100

Abstract A 52-year-old female was treated with CT-guided stereotactic aspiration for acute spontaneous pontine hemorrhage. On postoperative day 7, the patient was complicated by Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis. As sepsis was stabilized, she developed flaccid weakness and autonomic dysfunction on postoperative day 21. Investigations including neurophysiological studies and cerebral spinal fluid analysis prompted the diagnosis of acute motor axonal neuropathy, a variant of Guillain–Barré syndrome. Intravenous administration of immunoglobulin resolved her potentially life-threatening autonomic instability. At 1-year follow-up, she was able to stand with significant assistance. Although Guillain–Barré syndrome rarely occurs, clinicians should be alert to the possibility of...

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Rapid and accurate identification of genomic species from the Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) group by MALDI‐TOF MS

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

AbstractThe closely related members of the Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) group (A. baumannii, A. pittii and A. nosocomialis) are difficult to identify with phenotypic tests in diagnostic laboratories. Genotypic identification methods require special skills and most do not provide rapid results. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of MALDI‐TOF MS to identify members of the Ab group. Sixty epidemiologically unrelated Acinetobacter spp. isolates were investigated by MALDI‐TOF MS: 18 A. baumannii; 17 A. pittii; 18 A. nosocomialis and 7 additional isolates representing other Acinetobacter spp. All strains were verified by ARDRA, rRNA intergenic spacer (ITS), recA sequencing and blaOXA‐51. MALDI‐TOF MS correctly identified all the genomic strains but erroneously identifie...

In vitro and in vivo reduced fitness and virulence in ciprofloxacin‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

AbstractLimited data on relative fitness and virulence of antimicrobial resistant Acinetobacter baumannii are known. We aimed to study the virulence and fitness cost caused by ciprofloxacin‐resistance in A. baumannii (CipR) compared with susceptible parental wild type strain (CipS). Human lung epithelial cells were infected with CipS and CipR for 24 h. Competition fitness was monitored in vitro and in vivo in a murine peritoneal sepsis model. We showed that CipR induced less cell death than CipS and CipR growth slowly in competition with CipS. Altogether, acquisition of ciprofloxacin resistance confers a biological fitness cost and reduces virulence in A. baumannii. (Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection)

Imipenem: a potent inducer of multidrug resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study investigated the progression of multidrug resistance upon exposure to imipenem in Acinetobacter baumannii. Eighteen A. baumannii strains, including two reference strains (ATCC 19606 and ATCC 17978), four clinical strains (AB56, AB242, AB273 and AB279) and 12 antibiotic-selected mutant strains, were used in this study. Imipenem-selected mutants were generated from imipenem-susceptible strains (ATCC 19606, ATCC 17978 and AB242) by multistep selection resistance. Amikacin-, ciprofloxacin-, colistin-, meropenem- and ceftazidime-selected mutants were also generated from the two reference strains and were used for comparison. Antibiotic susceptibilities in the absence and presence of the efflux pump inhibitors carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) and 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)-pi...

Characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. other than Acinetobacter baumannii in South Korea

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Although many studies have been performed on carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, only a few studies have addressed carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter spp. other than A. baumannii (non-baumannii Acinetobacter). Amongst 287 Acinetobacter spp. isolates from patients with bacteraemia in a South Korean hospital collected between 2003 and 2010, 160 (55.7%) were non-baumannii Acinetobacter spp. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed and the effect of efflux pump inhibitors was examined. Antimicrobial resistance genes were identified and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis was performed. OprD expression was also evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and CarO disruption was investigated by PCR. Seventeen non-baumann...

Interspecies dissemination of a novel class 1 integron carrying blaIMP-19 among Acinetobacter species in Japan

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions We demonstrated that the blaIMP-19 gene carried in the novel class 1 integron gene cassette array of blaIMP-19-aac(6')-31-blaOXA-21-aadA1 has been horizontally disseminated among different Acinetobacter spp. Additionally, one isolate harboured multiple mobile genetic elements. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

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AbaR4 replaces AbaR3 in a carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolate belonging to global clone 1 from an Australian hospital

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Substantial diversity was observed among the GC1 isolates. This is the first report of AbaR4 replacing the AbaR3-type island seen in most GC1 isolates, and D36 represents a distinct new GC1 lineage. The AbaRs are members of a large, previously undocumented family of transposons that target comM. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

The blaIMP-5-carrying integron in a clinical Acinetobacter baumannii strain is flanked by miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs)

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

A fluoroquinolone-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii without the quinolone resistance-determining region mutations

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Novel genetic context of multiple blaOXA-58 genes in Acinetobacter genospecies 3

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

First Preliminary Report on Isolation and Characterization of Novel Acinetobacter spp. in Casing Soil Used for Cultivation of Button Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:55:26 +0100

Despite evaluation of large number of agroindustrial wastes for their use as casing material for Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach cultivation, scant attention has been given to the importance of biological properties of casing materials. In the present study, an attempt was made to characterize the bacterial flora in casing layer, namely, Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and Spent Mushroom Substrate/spent compost (SMS/SC) (FYM+SC, 3 : 1) and FYM and Vermi Compost (VC) (FYM+VC, 3 : 1), employing partial 16S rDNA sequencing. Available data showed a significant variety of organisms that included Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas of the γ-proteobacteria, that were the most frequently encountered genera. This is the first preliminary report on the microbial diversity of casi...

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Genome organization of epidemic Acinetobacter baumannii strains.

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The definition of the genome components of A. baumannii provides a scaffold to rapidly evaluate the genomic organization of novel clinical A. baumannii isolates. Changes in island profiling will be useful in genomic epidemiology of A. baumannii population. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

Production of a plasmid-encoded OXA-72 β-lactamase associated with resistance to carbapenems in a clinical isolate Acinetobacter junii

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Resistance to carbapenems in Acinetobacter spp. is a serious problem that is increasing worldwide. In Acinetobacter baumannii, which is the most important genospecies associated with human infections, resistance to carbapenems is related fundamentally to the production of acquired carbapenem-hydrolysing class D β-lactamases (oxacillinases) (CHDLs) of phylogenetic subgroups OXA-58, OXA-23, OXA-24/40 and OXA 143 and, less frequently, to the acquisition of carbapenem-hydrolysing metallo-β-lactamases (CHMBLs) such as those of type IMP or VIM. For genospecies of Acinetobacter other than A. baumannii, resistance to carbapenems is still rare and has been associated with the production of CHDLs and/or CHMBLs. In Acinetobacter junii, resistance to carbapenems has been associated with the producti...

Molecular determinants for substrate selectivity of ω-transaminases.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Park ES, Kim M, Shin JS Abstract ω-Transaminase (ω-TA) is an industrially important enzyme for production of chiral amines. About 20 (S)-specific ω-TAs known to date show remarkably similar substrate selectivity characterized by stringent steric constraint precluding entry of a substituent larger than an ethyl group in the small binding pocket (S) and dual recognition of an aromatic substituent as well as a carboxylate group in the large pocket (L). The strictly defined substrate selectivity of the available ω-TAs remains a limiting factor in the production of structurally diverse chiral amines. In this work, we cloned, purified, and characterized three new ω-TAs from Ochrobactrum anthropi, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Acetobacter pasteurianus that were identified by ...

Laundering May Not Kill Hospital-Acquired Bacteria

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Residential washing machines may not always use hot enough water to eliminate dangerous bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter, a Gram-negative bacteria, from hospital uniforms, according to a study published in the November issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The study, conducted by researchers from University College in London, was prompted by changes in Britain's National Health Service that led many hospitals in the UK to end in-house laundry services... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Erratum to: Control of an Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak in a neonatal ICU without suspension of service: a devastating outbreak in Diyarbakir, Turkey

Infection — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:48:32 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ErratumPages 1-1DOI 10.1007/s15010-011-0194-5Authors S. Hosoglu, Department of Infectious Diseases, Dicle University Hospital, 21285 Diyarbakir, TurkeyM. Hascuhadar, Department of Infectious Diseases, Diyarbakir Children Hospital, Diyarbakir, TurkeyE. Yasar, Department of Medical Microbiology, Diyarbakir Children Hospital, Diyarbakir, TurkeyS. Uslu, Department of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Diyarbakir Children Hospital, Diyarbakir, TurkeyB. Aldudak, Department of Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Diyarbakir Children Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey Journal InfectionOnline ISSN 1439-0973Print ISSN 0300-8126 (Source: Infection)

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[Intraventricular colistin use in neonatal meningitis caused by Acinetobacter baumanii.]

Annales Francaises d'Anesthesie et de Reanimation — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Alaoui SY, Nejmi SE, Chakir AA, Hmamouchi B, Chlilek A PMID: 21981848 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Annales Francaises d'Anesthesie et de Reanimation)

Study: Residential washers may not kill hospital-acquired bacteria

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America) Residential washing machines may not always use hot enough water to eliminate dangerous bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter, a Gram-negative bacteria, from hospital uniforms, according to a study published in the November issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

No evidence of Bartonella quintana but detection of Acinetobacter baumannii in head lice from elementary schoolchildren in Paris.

Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bouvresse S, Socolovshi C, Berdjane Z, Durand R, Izri A, Raoult D, Chosidow O, Brouqui P Abstract The human body louse is the only known vector of Bartonella quintana. However, the presence of this bacterium has recently been detected in the head lice of homeless individuals and Nepalese slum children. Previous studies have reported the isolation of Acinetobacter baumannii from the body lice of homeless individuals. An epidemiological survey including 74 schools was conducted between 2008 and 2009 in Paris. After a first visual examination, the hair of children with suspected pediculosis was combed with a fine-tooth comb to collect live adult head lice. Molecular studies were performed on randomly selected DNA samples to detect B. quintana and A. baumannii by specific quan...

Different genospecies of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex associated with different outcomes

Journal of Critical Care — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, they investigated the clinical manifestations of Acinetobacter baumannii infection in patients with hematologic cancer in the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite that the ICU mortality was higher in 35 patients with A baumannii infection than in 87 patients without A baumannii infection (83% vs 56%, P = .006), the presence of A baumannii infection was not found to be independently associated with mortality in multivariate analysis. However, no molecular method is used to identify the different genospecies of the Acinetobacter spp in this study to investigate the clinical impact of different A baumannii infections. (Source: Journal of Critical Care)

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection is not an independent risk factor for mortality in critically ill patients with hematologic malignancy

Journal of Critical Care — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

We read, with interest, the remarks of Dr Tan et al regarding our study on the clinical course of Acinetobacter baumannii infection in patients with hematologic malignancy in the intensive care unit (ICU) . (Source: Journal of Critical Care)

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Comparative Genomic Analysis of Acinetobacter oleivorans DR1 To Determine Strain-Specific Genomic Regions and Gentisate Biodegradation.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Jung J, Madsen EL, Jeon CO, Park W Abstract The comparative genomics of Acinetobacter oleivorans DR1 assayed with A. baylyi ADP1, A. calcoaceticus PHEA-2, and A. baumannii ATCC 17978 revealed that the incorporation of phage-related genomic regions and the absence of transposable elements have contributed to the large size (4.15 Mb) of the DR1 genome. A horizontally transferred genomic region and a higher proportion of transcriptional regulator- and signal peptide-coding genes were identified as characteristics of the DR1 genome. Incomplete glucose metabolism, metabolic pathways of aromatic compounds, biofilm formation, antibiotics and metal resistance, and natural competence genes were conserved in four compared genomes. Interestingly, only strain DR1 possesses gentisate 1...

Urinary Tract Infections in the Early Posttransplant Period After Liver Transplantation: Etiologic Agents and Their Susceptibility

Transplantation Proceedings — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In general, the identification in urine samples of multi-drug–resistant bacterial and fungal strains in patients after OLT such as ESBL(+) 38.5%; HLAR 80.4%; VRE 17.6%; and MRSA/MRCNS 100% requires better infection control. (Source: Transplantation Proceedings)

Acinetobacter baumannii Multidrug-Resistant Strain Occurrence in Liver Recipients With Reference to Other High-Risk Groups

Transplantation Proceedings — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Introduction: The increasing clinical significance of Acinetobacter baumannii species is due to its ability to survive in hospital environments, its species-specific multidrug resistance, and its ability to instantly develop various drug-resistance mechanisms through antibiotic pressure.Materials and methods: We identified 16 A baumannii strains isolated from patients presenting postoperative infections in 2010. A baumannii isolates were obtained from clinical specimens by standard microbiologic methods. As previously described, we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for carbapenemase-encoding genes (VIM, IMP, SPM, OXA23, OXA24, OXA51, OXA58) in Acinetobacter spp.Results: The double-disk synergy test phenotypic method did not detect any A baumannii strains producin...

The Probability of the Acinetobacter baumannii Strain Clonal Spreading in Donor-recipient Systems, as Confirmed by the Molecular Analysis of Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA

Transplantation Proceedings — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Acinetobacter baumannii is an important pathogen widely distributed in the hospital environment and responsible for a variety of nosocomial infections. This micro-organism especially affects patients with impaired host defenses in the intensive care unit. It has been implicated in severe nosocomial infections including bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and meningitides. Those infections are often outbreaks caused by a single clone spreading. The aim of our study was an epidemiological analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from hospitalized liver/kidney transplant donors and recipients. The analyzed material for epidemiological test included 13 A. baumannii strains isolated in 2010 from eight liver/kidney donors and 5 organ recipients. The epidemiological analysis ...

Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants in Imipenem-nonsusceptible Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii Complex Isolated in Daejeon, Korea.

The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Several differences in carbapenem, aminoglycoside, and fluoroquinolone resistance gene content were detected among Acb complex isolates. However, most Acb complex isolates (87.5%) possessed integrons, carbapenemases, AMEs, and mutations in gyrA. The co-occurrence of several resistance determinants may present a significant threat. PMID: 22016680 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine)

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Severe infection in a lung transplant recipient caused by donor‐transmitted carbapenem‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Transplant Infectious Disease — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This report highlights the current challenges associated with the potential transmission of multidrug‐resistant infections through organ transplantation. (Source: Transplant Infectious Disease)

Overexpression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of l-ribose isomerase from Acinetobacter sp. strain DL-28

Acta Crystallographica Section F — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Acinetobacter sp. l-ribose isomerase (l-RI) catalyzes a reversible isomerization reaction between l-ribose and l-ribulose. To date, information on l-RI remains limited and its amino-acid sequence shows no similarity to those of any known enzymes. Here, recombinant His-tagged l-RI was successfully overexpressed, purified and crystallized. Crystals of His-tagged l-RI were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at room temperature as two crystal forms which belonged to the monoclinic space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 96.60, b = 105.89, c = 71.83 Å, β = 118.16°, and the orthorhombic space group F222, with unit-cell parameters a = 96.44, b = 106.26, c = 117.83 Å. Diffraction data were collected to 3.1 and 2.2 Å resolution, respectively. (Source: Acta Crysta...

Real-Time Monitoring of Intracellular Wax Ester Metabolism

Microbial Cell Factories — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The monitoring system showed correlation between wax ester synthesis pattern and luminescent signal. The system shows potential for real-time screening purposes and studies on bacterial wax esters, revealing new aspects to dynamics and role of wax ester metabolism in bacteria. (Source: Microbial Cell Factories)

Production of a Solvent, Detergent, and Thermotolerant Lipase by a Newly Isolated Acinetobacter sp. in Submerged and Solid-State Fermentations

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:18:22 +0100

The lipase production ability of a newly isolated Acinetobacter sp. in submerged (SmF) and solid-state (SSF) fermentations was evaluated. The results demonstrated this strain as one of the rare bacterium, which is able to grow and produce lipase in SSF even more than SmF. Coconut oil cake as a cheap agroindustrial residue was employed as the solid substrate. The lipase production was optimized in both media using artificial neural network. Multilayer normal and full feed forward backpropagation networks were selected to build predictive models to optimize the culture parameters for lipase production in SmF and SSF systems, respectively. The produced models for both systems showed high predictive accuracy where the obtained conditions were close together. The produced enzyme was characteriz...

Aberrant structures of fecal bacterial community in allergic infants profiled by 16S rRNA pyrosequencing

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

AbstractWe investigated the correlation between fecal bacteria composition in early infancy and the prevalence of allergic diseases in late infancy. The fecal microbiota in the first 2 months was profiled using the 16S rRNA V6 short tag sequences in the community and statistically compared between 2 groups of subjects who did and did not show allergic symptoms in the first 2 years (n = 11 versus 11). In the allergic group, genus Bacteroides at 1 month and genera Propionibacterium and Klebsiella at 2 months were more abundant, and genera Acinetobacter and Clostridium at 1 month, were less abundant than in the non‐allergic group. Allergic infants who showed high colonization of Bacteroides and/or Klebsiella showed less colonization of Clostridium perfringens/butyricum, suggesting antagonis...

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Isolation and Partial Characterization of a Virulent Bacteriophage IHQ1 Specific for Aeromonas punctata from Stream Water.

Microbial Ecology — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, we described the isolation and preliminary characterization of bacteriophage IHQ1 (family Myoviridae) active against the Gram-negative bacterial strain A. punctata. This virulent bacteriophage was isolated from stream water sample. Genome analysis indicated that phage IHQ1 was a double-stranded DNA virus with an approximate genome size of 25-28 kb. The initial characterization of this newly isolated phage showed that it has a narrow host range and infects only A. punctata as it failed to infect seven other clinically isolated pathogenic strains, i.e., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 6403, MRSA 17644, Acinetobacter 33408, Acinetobacter 1172, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 22250, P. aeruginosa 11219, and Escherichia coli. Proteomic pattern of phage IHQ1, generated by SDS-...

Aberrant structures of fecal bacterial community in allergic infants profiled by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

AbstractWe investigated the correlation between fecal bacteria composition in early infancy and the prevalence of allergic diseases in late infancy. The fecal microbiota in the first 2 months was profiled using the 16S rRNA V6 short‐tag sequences in the community and statistically compared between two groups of subjects who did and did not show allergic symptoms in the first 2 years (n = 11 vs. 11). In the allergic group, genus Bacteroides at 1 month and genera Propionibacterium and Klebsiella at 2 months were more abundant, and genera Acinetobacter and Clostridium at 1 month were less abundant than in the nonallergic group. Allergic infants who showed high colonization of Bacteroides and/or Klebsiella showed less colonization of Clostridium perfringens/butyricum, suggesting antag...

Generation of anti‐tumor immune response using dendritic cells pulsed with carbonic anhydrase IX‐Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A fusion proteins against renal cell carcinoma

Clinical and Experimental Immunology — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, in order to generate a potent anti‐tumor immune response against RCC, we produced recombinant CA9‐Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A (AbOmpA) fusion proteins, designated CA9‐AbOmpA, and investigated the ability of DCs pulsed with CA9‐AbOmpA fusion proteins in a murine RCC (RENCA) model. A recombinant CA9‐AbOmpA fusion protein was composed of a unique proteoglycan‐related region of CA9 (1‐120 amino acids) fused at the C‐terminus with transmembrane domain of AbOmpA (1‐200 amino acids). This fusion protein was capable of inducing DC maturation and interleukin (IL)‐12 production in DCs. Interaction of DCs pulsed with CA9‐AbOmpA fusion proteins with naïve T cells stimulated secretion of IL‐2, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and tumor necrosis fac...

Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and the bacterial community response in Gulf of Mexico beach sands impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study was conducted at municipal Pensacola Beach, Florida, where chemical analysis revealed weathered oil petroleum hydrocarbon (C8-C40) concentrations ranging from 3.1 to 4500 mg kg(-1) in beach sands. Twenty-four bacterial strains from 14 genera were isolated from oiled beach sands and confirmed as oil-degrading microorganisms. Isolated bacterial strains were primarily Gammaproteobacteria, including representatives of genera with known oil-degraders (Alcanivorax, Marinobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter). Sequence libraries generated from oiled sands revealed phylotypes that showed high sequence identity (up to 99%) to rRNA gene sequences from the oil-degrading bacterial isolates. The abundance of bacterial SSU rRNA gene sequences was approximately 10 times higher in oiled (0.44 - 1...

Attenuated virulence of a slow-growing pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is associated with decreased expression of genes encoding the porins CarO and OprD-like

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Although Acinetobacter baumannii has traditionally been considered a nosocomial pathogen with low virulence, recent studies suggest that this microorganism could be more virulent than expected. Thus, although there is some controversy, pooled data suggest that infections by A. baumannii, a paradigm of multiresistant bacteria, may be associated with considerable attributable mortality . Moreover, in cases of pneumonia and bacteraemia, inappropriate treatment is associated, amongst other factors, with mortality . (Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)

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Eradication of Multidrug‐Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from the Respiratory Tract with Inhaled Colistin Methanesulfonate: A Matched Case‐Control Study

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, our study demonstrated that inhaled CMS enhanced the eradication of MDRAB from the respiratory tract without significant clinical adverse effect or impact on colistin resistance. (Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection)

Eradication of multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from the respiratory tract with inhaled colistin methanesulfonate: a matched case–control study

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

5 year analysis of bacteriology culture in a tropical burns ICU

Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: In ICUs where multidrug resistant pathogens are endemic, the choice of appropriate antimicrobial empiric cover should be guided by the intensity of colonization with these organisms as indicated by the cultures from various sites. (Source: Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries)

Effect of colistin exposure and growth phase on the surface properties of live Acinetobacter baumannii cells examined by atomic force microscopy

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: The diminishing antimicrobial development pipeline has forced the revival of colistin as a last line of defence against infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative ‘superbugs’ such as Acinetobacter baumannii. The complete loss of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediates colistin resistance in some A. baumannii strains. Atomic force microscopy was used to examine the surface properties of colistin-susceptible and -resistant A. baumannii strains at mid-logarithmic and stationary growth phases in liquid and in response to colistin treatment. The contribution of LPS to surface properties was investigated using A. baumannii strains constructed with and without the lpxA gene. Bacterial spring constant measurements revealed that colistin-susceptible cells were significantly stif...

A study of the efficiency of edible oils degraded in alkaline conditions by Pseudomonas aeruginosa SS-219 and Acinetobacter sp. SS-192 bacteria isolated from Japanese soil

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 05:48:36 +0100

Abstract High lipid concentration contained in wastewater inhibits the activity of microorganisms in biological wastewater treatment systems such as activated sludge and methane fermentation. To reduce the inhibitory effects, microorganisms capable of efficiently degrading edible oils were screened from various environmental sources. From Japanese soil, we isolated 2 bacteria strains with high degradation abilities at an alkaline pH without consumption of biological oxygen demand (BOD) constituents. Acinetobacter sp. strain SS-192 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain SS-219 degraded 77.5 ± 0.6% and 89.5 ± 1.5%, respectively, of 3,000 ppm of mixed oil consisting of salad oil/lard/beef tallow (1/1/1, w/w/w) at 37°C and pH 9.0 in 24 h. Efficient de...

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Evaluation of 4,5-Disubstituted-2-Aminoimidazole-Triazole Conjugates for Antibiofilm/Antibiotic Resensitization Activity Against MRSA and Acinetobacter baumannii.

ChemMedChem — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Su Z, Peng L, Worthington RJ, Melander C Abstract A library of 4,5-disubstituted-2-aminoimidazole-triazole conjugates (2-AITs) was synthesized, and the antibiofilm activity was investigated. This class of small molecules was found to inhibit biofilm formation by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at low-micromolar concentrations; 4,5-disubstituted-2-AITs were also able to inhibit and disperse Acinetobacter baumannii biofilms. The activities of the lead compounds were compared against the naturally occurring biofilm dispersant cis-2-decenoic acid and were revealed to be more potent. The ability of selected compounds to resensitize MRSA to traditional antibiotics (resensitization activity) was also determined. Lead compounds were observed to resensitize MRSA ...

High Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Non-Fermenters in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in Asia.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Acinetobacter spp., P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and K. pneumoniae are the most frequent isolates from adults with HAP or VAP in Asian countries. These isolates are highly resistant to major antimicrobial agents, which could limit the therapeutic options in the clinical practice. Discordant initial empirical antimicrobial therapy significantly increases the likelihood of pneumonia-related mortality. PMID: 21920919 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine)

Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from pets and horses in Switzerland: molecular characterization and clinical data

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions STs and the molecular background of resistance observed in our collection have been frequently described in A. baumannii detected in human patients. Animals should be considered as a potential reservoir of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Longitudinal survey of carbapenem resistance and resistance mechanisms in Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenters from the USA in 2007-09

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Doripenem and meropenem were more active than imipenem against Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa from the USA. Carbapenem resistance mechanisms included serine carbapenemases, elevated AmpC activity, efflux and porin deficiencies occurring mostly in P. aeruginosa. Metallo-β-lactamases were found in <0.1% of isolates. (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)

Therapy for Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii VentriculitisTherapy for Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Ventriculitis

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:42:24 +0100

How were adequate drug levels achieved in this serious CNS infection? American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Ethambutol-mediated cell wall modification in recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum increases the biotransformation rates of cyclohexanone derivatives.

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yun JY, Lee JE, Yang KM, Cho S, Kim A, Kwon YE, Park JB Abstract The effects of structural modification of cell wall on the biotransformation capability by recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum cells, expressing the chnB gene encoding cyclohexanone monooxygenase of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus NCIMB 9871, were investigated. Baeyer-Villiger oxygenation of 2-(2'-acetoxyethyl) cyclohexanone (MW 170 Da) into R-7-(2'-acetoxyethyl)-2-oxepanone was used as a model reaction. The whole-cell biotransformation followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The V (max) and K (S) values were estimated as 96.8 U g(-1) of dry cells and 0.98 mM, respectively. The V (max) was comparable with that of cyclohexanone oxygenation, whereas the K (S) was almost eightfold higher. The K (S) value of 2-(2'...

Interlaboratory reproducibility of DiversiLab rep-PCR typing and clustering of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Higgins PG, Hujer AM, Hujer KM, Bonomo RA, Seifert H Abstract We have investigated the reproducibility of DiversiLab rep-PCR fingerprints between two laboratories with the aim to determine if the fingerprints and clustering are laboratory-specific or portable. One-hundred non-duplicate A. baumannii isolates were used in this study. DNA isolation and rep-PCR was performed separately in two laboratories and rep-PCR patterns generated in laboratory A were compared to those from laboratory B. Twelve A. baumannii isolates processed in laboratory A showed ≥ 98 % pattern similarity with the corresponding 12 isolates tested in laboratory B and were considered identical. Sixty-four isolates showed 95 - 97.9% similarity with their corresponding isolates. Twenty-three isolates show...

Update in Adult Urinary Tract Infection

Current Infectious Disease Reports — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:14:59 +0100

Abstract Urinary tract infection remains a common problem for many populations. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of the host innate immune response and its role in the familial association observed for recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infection in healthy women. Therapeutic management for uncomplicated infection has been compromised by increasing antimicrobial resistance, particularly global dissemination of the CTXM-15 extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli ST-131 strain. Prevention strategies exploring non-antimicrobial approaches continue to show limited promise, and approaches to limit empiric antimicrobials are now being explored. For complicated urinary tract infection, increasing antimicrobial resistance limits therapeutic...

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of bacteremia due to different genomic species of Acinetobacter baumannii complex in patients with solid tumors

Infection — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:51:13 +0100

Conclusions Infection with A. baumannii and a high APACHE II score (≥21) might be associated with poor outcome in patients with solid tumors and ABC bacteremia. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical and Epidemiological StudyPages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s15010-011-0187-4Authors M.-C. Chiang, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei, 11217 TaiwanS.-C. Kuo, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei, 11217 TaiwanS.-J. Chen, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei, 11217 TaiwanS.-P. Yang, Division...