Scarless excision of an insertion sequence restores capsule production and virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii

Clémence Whiteway, Adam Valcek, Chantal Philippe, Mojca Strazisar, Tim De Pooter, Ivan Mateus, Anke Breine, Charles Van der Henst

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Abstract

We identify a new mechanism mediating capsule production and virulence in the WHO and CDC priority ESKAPE pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Non-capsulated and avirulent bacteria can revert into a capsulated and virulent state upon scarless excision of an ISAba13 insertion sequence under stress conditions. Reversion events fully restore capsule production and in vivo virulence. This increases our knowledge about A. baumannii genome dynamics, and the regulation of capsule production, virulence and resistance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1473-1477
Number of pages5
JournalISME Journal
Volume16
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022

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