The identification of novel Acinetobacter baumannii factors involved in host-pathogen interactions

Acinetobacter baumannii is a bacterial pathogen that has become widespread in hospitals, especially in the intensive care unit. The emergence of strains that are highly resistant to most if not all currently available antibiotics has created a significant challenge to healthcare. Treatment options have become very limited, which has led the WHO to declare the development of new drugs to treat this pathogen a critical priority. This study has demonstrated that specific bacterial genes are important in controlling how our body’s immune system, more specifically neutrophils, responds and fights off infection. The work also characterises how the bacteria responds to certain metabolic conditions that are relevant to human disease states. Taken together, this work provides important new insights into potential targets for future novel and effective drugs.