Species distribution and physiological characterization of Acinetobacter genospecies from healthy human skin of tribal population in India.
BACKGROUND
Various reports on distribution of Acinetobacter spp. from healthy human skin restricted to urban population. However, no such data is available from healthy human skin of tribal population not exposed to modern antibiotics during their life time.


OBJECTIVE
Isolation, biotyping, distribution and physiological characterisation of Acinetobacter spp. from healthy human skin of tribal population.


METHODS
Tribal population of Toranmal area of Satpuda Ranges, Maharashtra, India were sampled for ten body sites. Tentative Acinetobacter isolates were confirmed to the genus level by chromosomal DNA transformation assay and to species level using Bouvet and Grimont system. Novel physiological characteristics like pH, temperature and salt tolerance were studied. All strains were screened for production of various enzymes.


RESULTS
One hundred and eighteen strains were isolated, which belonged to nine Acinetobacter genospecies. A. haemolyticus was most abundant followed by A. calcoaceticus and A. genospecies 1-3. Higher percentage of Acinetobacter was recovered from skin of nose, Pawara tribe and female volunteers. They showed wide variation in temperature, salt and pH tolerance. Most of the strains could produce enzymes viz, lipase, esterase, urease and amylase.


CONCLUSIONS
Acinetobacter spp. belonging to nine genospecies were obtained in the present study. Physiological characteristics including high salt, temperature and acidic pH tolerance were helpful to differentiate between the commensal and pathogenic species of Acinetobacter genus.
Yavankar
S P
SP
Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Department of Microbiology, University of Pune, Ganesh Khind, Pune - 411 007, Maharashtra, India.
Pardesi
K R
KR
Chopade
B A
BA
D000150:Acinetobacter / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000494:pharmacology; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013696:Temperature
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic