The success of particular Acinetobacter baumannii clones: accumulating resistance and virulence inside a sugary shield

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Silva, L (Author) Other; Grosso, F (Author) Other; Rodrigues, C (Author) Other; Ksiezarek, M (Author) Other; Ramos, H (Author) Other; Luisa Peixe (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

Vol. 76

Pages: 305-311

ISSN: 0305-7453

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-E91

DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa453

Abstract (EN): Background: In Portugal, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has been associated with ST98, ST103 and ST208 (Oxford Scheme, Oxf) and a clone has usually been associated with a particular period of time. These clonal shifts were primarily explained by an increased antimicrobial resistance profile. Here we explore genomic and biochemical differences among these and more recent clones, which could further explain the diversity and evolution of this species. Methods: A total of 116 CRAB isolates (2010-15), together with representatives of a previously described CRAB collection (4 isolates, 2001-06) were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and MLST. Representatives of different FTIR-ATR/MLST clusters were selected for WGS (n = 13), which allowed the in silico extraction of resistance and virulence genes, capsule locus and SNP analysis. Results: A. baumannii clonal shifts of OXA-58-producing ST103(Oxf) (2001-04), OXA-40-producing ST98(Oxf) (2002-06), OXA-23-producing ST208(Oxf) (2006-10) and OXA-23-producing ST218(Oxf) (2010-15) were accompanied by an increase in AMR genes and virulence factors. FTIR-ATR clustering was congruent with sugar composition predicted from the capsular locus: a fucosamine cluster comprising ST98(Oxf), ST103(Oxf) and a single ST218(Oxf) isolate; a pseudaminic acid cluster of ST208(Oxf) and ST1557(Oxf) isolates; and legionaminic acid, resembling the sialic acid from mammalian cells, in a cluster comprising ST218(Oxf) isolates. The whole-genome phylogenetic tree was congruent with MLST, with isolates presenting 5-28 938 SNPs. ST208(Oxf) and ST218(Oxf) presented similar to 1900 SNPs while ST103(Oxf) and ST1557(Oxf) showed a greater number of SNPs (similar to 28 000). Conclusions: Clonal shifts of CRAB were promoted, in our country, by consecutive virulence and AMR gene pool enlargement, together with features increasing pathogen-host adaptation. Worldwide dominance of ST218(Oxf) is supported by the combination of high AMR and virulence levels.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7