Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: An Emerging Aspect of New Drug Discovery

Abstract

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic multidrugresistant, aerobic, glucose non-fermentative, and oxidative-negative coccobacilli bacteria. This life-threatening nosocomial infection is associated with immunocompromised patients.

Objective: This review aims to investigate the multiple drug resistance mechanisms and new emerging diagnostics & treatments for Acinetobacter baumannii.

Methods: All the articles that were most relevant to A. baumannii virulence and drug resistance mechanisms were founded by a literature search on PubMed. Google Patents were used to find discoveries related to diagnostics and treatment.

Results: Efflux pumps, β-lactamases, aminoglycosides, outer membrane proteins, and alteration of the target sites were identified in the Acinetobacter baumannii pathogen as the most prevalent drug resistance mechanisms. Gene detection, peptide detection, and antigen-antibody-associated detection were the latest diagnostics. Novel antimicrobial peptides, sterilization techniques using blue light, and combination therapies are being developed to effectively treat A. baumannii infections.

Conclusion: This review concludes that new drugs and formulations with high efficiency, low cytotoxicity, and no nephrotoxicity are in absolute need. In the near future, we can expect omics technology to play a significant role in discovering new drugs and potential targets.

Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; Antimicrobial resistance; Immunocompromised patients; Porins; aminoglycosidases; efflux pump; multidrug resistance; β- lactamases.