Role of Capsule in Resistance to Disinfectants, Host Antimicrobials, and Desiccation in Acinetobacter baumannii

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2018 Nov 26;62(12):e01188-18. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01188-18. Print 2018 Dec.

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii strain AB5075 forms two cell types distinguished by their opaque (VIR-O) or translucent (AV-T) colonies. VIR-O cells possess a thicker capsule and are more resistant to a variety of stressors than AV-T cells. However, the direct role of the capsule in these stressors was unknown. This study demonstrates that the capsule is required for resistance to disinfectants, lysozyme, and desiccation in Acinetobacter baumannii In addition, the capsule is required for survival in a mouse lung model of infection.

Keywords: Acinetobacter; capsule; resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter Infections / microbiology
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / drug effects*
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / pathogenicity
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / physiology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Desiccation
  • Disinfectants / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / physiology
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / drug effects
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / physiology
  • Muramidase / pharmacology
  • Mutation

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Disinfectants
  • Muramidase