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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Molecular analysis of the Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm-associated protein
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Volume 79, No. 21, Year 2013
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Description
Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant pathogen associated with hospital outbreaks of infection across the globe, particularly in the intensive care unit. The ability of A. baumannii to survive in the hospital environment for long periods is linked to antibiotic resistance and its capacity to form biofilms. Here we studied the prevalence, expression, and function of the A. baumannii biofilm-associated protein (Bap) in 24 carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii ST92 strains isolated from a single institution over a 10-year period. The bap gene was highly prevalent, with 22/24 strains being positive for bap by PCR. Partial sequencing of bap was performed on the index case strain MS1968 and revealed it to be a large and highly repetitive gene approximately 16 kb in size. Phylogenetic analysis employing a 1,948-amino-acid region corresponding to the C terminus of Bap showed that BapMS1968 clusters with Bap sequences from clonal complex 2 (CC2) strains ACICU, TCDC-AB0715, and 1656-2 and is distinct from Bap in CC1 strains. By using overlapping PCR, the bapMS1968 gene was cloned, and its expression in a recombinant Escherichia coli strain resulted in increased biofilm formation. A Bap-specific antibody was generated, and Western blot analysis showed that the majority of A. baumannii strains expressed an ~200-kDa Bap protein. Further analysis of three Bap-positive A. baumannii strains demonstrated that Bap is expressed at the cell surface and is associated with biofilm formation. Finally, biofilm formation by these Bap-positive strains could be inhibited by affinity-purified Bap antibodies, demonstrating the direct contribution of Bap to biofilm growth by A. baumannii clinical isolates. © 2013, American Society for Microbiology.
Authors & Co-Authors
Beatson, Scott A.
Australia, Brisbane
Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre
Phan, Minh Duy
Australia, Brisbane
Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre
Runnegar, Naomi J.
Australia, Mackay
Central Queensland Pathology Laboratory
Sidjabat, Hanna E.
Australia, Brisbane
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Paterson, David L.
Australia, Mackay
Central Queensland Pathology Laboratory
Australia, Brisbane
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Nimmo, Graeme Robert
Australia, Mackay
Central Queensland Pathology Laboratory
Australia, Brisbane
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Lipman, Jeffrey
Australia, Brisbane
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Australia, Brisbane
The University of Queensland
Schembri, Mark A.
Australia, Brisbane
Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre
Statistics
Citations: 73
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1128/AEM.01402-13
ISSN:
10985336
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study