Roorkee: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) have made a groundbreaking discovery about Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly drug-resistant superbug that causes life-threatening infections. These findings could lead to innovative therapies for multidrug-resistant infections.
Their study, published in the prestigious journal mBio of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), reveals how this dangerous pathogen controls its attack and defense systems, which could lead to new treatment strategies.
Acinetobacter baumannii is known for its ability to resist multiple antibiotics
Acinetobacter baumannii is known for its ability to resist multiple antibiotics, making it a serious threat in healthcare settings. It causes severe hospital-acquired infections like pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections. One of its major survival tools is the Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS), a bacterial “weapon” used to attack competing microbes. However, how A. baumannii regulates T6SS while maintaining antibiotic resistance has remained unclear until now.
Our discovery sheds light on how this pathogen adapts during infections
The research team, led by Prof. Ranjana Pathania, discovered that A. baumannii switches T6SS on or off based on environmental conditions. A small RNA molecule called AbsR28 plays a key role in this regulation, influenced by manganese (Mn²+) levels. When Mn²+ levels are high, AbsR28 binds to an essential gene (tssM) required for T6SS function, leading to its degradation. This prevents the activation of T6SS and enables A. baumannii to retain plasmid pAB3, which carries multiple antibiotic resistance genes.
“We found that when A. baumannii activates T6SS, it becomes more vulnerable to antibiotics and oxidative stress. So, the bacteria must carefully regulate this system to survive in different conditions,” said Prof. Pathania. “Our discovery sheds light on how this pathogen adapts during infections, helping it evade both antibiotics and the immune system.”
Scientists may be able to disrupt the superbug’s regulatory system
By targeting AbsR28, scientists may be able to disrupt the superbug’s regulatory system, making it more susceptible to antibiotics without directly attacking resistance genes. This discovery opens new avenues for precision medicine and novel drug development against multidrug-resistant infections.
Such discoveries pave the way for innovative solutions in tackling antibiotic resistance
Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, said, “At IIT Roorkee, we are committed to advancing scientific research that addresses global health challenges. This breakthrough in understanding Acinetobacter baumannii’s defense mechanism is a testament to the high-impact work being carried out by our researchers. Such discoveries pave the way for innovative solutions in tackling antibiotic resistance and improving healthcare outcomes.”
The research team includes Somok Bhowmik, Avik Pathak, Shivam Pandey, Kuldip Devnath, Abhiroop Sett, Nishant Jyoti, Timsy Bhando, Jawed Akhter, Saurabh Chugh, Dr. Ramandeep Singh, and Tarun Kumar Sharma. Their pioneering work reinforces IIT Roorkee’s leadership in cutting-edge biomedical research.
