Evaluation of Virulence Gene Expression Patterns in Acinetobacter baumannii Using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Array.
According to the Centers for Disease Control's recently devised National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii is a "serious" threat level pathogen. A. baumannii's notoriety stems from the fact that a large number of modern strains are multidrug resistant and persist in the hospital setting, thus causing numerous deaths per year. It is imperative that research focus on a more fundamental understanding of the factors responsible for the success of A. baumannii. Toward this end, our group investigated virulence gene expression patterns in a recently characterized wound isolate, AB5075, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction array. Notably, several genes showed statistically significant upregulation at 37°C compared to 25°C; MviM, Wbbj, CarO, and certain genes of the Bas, Bar, and Csu operons. Additionally, we found that in vitro biofilm formation by Csu transposon insertion mutant strains is attenuated. These findings validate previous reports that suggest a link between the Csu operon and biofilm formation. More importantly, our results demonstrate a successful method for evaluating the significance of previously identified virulence factors in a modern and clinically relevant strain of A. baumannii, thereby providing a path toward a more fundamental understanding of the pathogenicity of A. baumannii.
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Ford M
FM
Lannan
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Daniel K
DK
O'conor
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Joseph C
JC
Broderick
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Jamison F
JF
Tate
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Jacob T
JT
Scoggin
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Nicholas A
NA
Moran
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Christopher M
CM
Husson
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Erik M
EM
Hegeman
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Cole E
CE
Ogrydziak
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Sneha A
SA
Singh
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Andrew G
AG
Vafides
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Carl C
CC
Brinkley
Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, 646 Swift Road, West Point, New York 10996-1905.
Jeremy L
JL
Goodin
D000151:Acinetobacter Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics*