Acinetobacter baumannii
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Acinetobacter baumannii
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Pseudomonadales; Moraxellaceae; Acinetobacter
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Acinetobacter baumannii
Description and significance
Acinetobacter baumannii is an aerobic gram-negative bacteria found in water and soil. However, recently the organism has been a major concern in hospitals because of its acquisition of multi-drug resistant genes which has resulted in nosocomial infections. A. baumannii is often found in organs that have a high liquid content such as the respiratory tract, cerebral spinal fluid, and urinary tract which leads to nosocomial pneumonia.
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated.
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Genome structure
The organism contains circular DNA with 3439 genes, of which 71% is used for coding and 3352 are used in protein coding. A. baumannii contains two plasmids: pAB1 and pAB. One strain of Acinetobacter baumannii called AYE contains an 86kb genomic resistance island, which is the largest found to date. The genomic island also has 45 resistance gene clusters. The amino acid sequence of the genomic island of AYE is similar to other organisms, specifically Pseudomonas , Salmonella, and Escherichia. Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
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Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
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References
Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
