Phenotypic Characterization and Heterogeneity among Modern Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03061-22
• Publication Date: 2022-12-08T14:01:44Z
• Authors: Adam Valcek; Chantal Philippe; Clémence Whiteway; Etienne Robino; Kristina Nesporova; Mona Bové; Tom Coenye; Tim De Pooter; Wouter De Coster; Mojca Strazisar; Charles Van der H...
• Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium prioritized by WHO and CDC because of its increasing antibiotic resistance. Heterogeneity among strains represents the hallmark A. bacteria. We wondered to what extent extensively used strains, so-called reference reflect dynamic nature intrinsic heterogeneity these analyzed multiple phenotypic traits 43 nonredundant, modern, multidrug-resistant, drug-resistant, pandrug-resistant clinical isolates broadly baumannii. Comparison at genetic levels confirmed a high degree heterogeneity. Importantly, we observed that significant portion modern strongly differs from several historically established in light colony morphology, cellular density, capsule production, natural transformability, vivo virulence. The differences between could hamper study baumannii, especially concerning virulence resistance mechanisms. Hence, propose variable collection are characterized levels, covering wide range spectrum, with six different macrocolony type groups, avirulent hypervirulent phenotypes, naturally noncapsulated hypermucoid intermediate phenotypes as well. Strain-specific mechanistic observations remain interesting per se, "reference" have undoubtedly been shown be very useful basic mechanisms biology. However, any based on specific strain should compared clinically relevant isolates. IMPORTANCE resistance, leading treatment failures. this pathogen isolates, due genome. In context, tested if subset considered was reflecting diversity found currently circulating do not cover whole While formerly successfully generated strong base knowledge field beyond, our shows rational choice strain, related biological question, taken into consideration. Any data obtained also drug screening, contexts.