Effect of incubation temperature on antibiotic resistance and virulence factors of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978. [PublishAheadOfPrint]

Acinetobacter baumannii is a notorious opportunistic pathogen mainly prevalent in hospital settings. A. baumannii's ability to adapt and survive in a range of environments has been a key feature for its persistence and success as an opportunistic pathogen. In this study, we investigated the effect of temperature on the clinically relevant phenotypes displayed by A. baumannii at 37°C and at 28°C. Surface associated motility was significantly reduced at 28°C, while biofilm formation on plastic surfaces increased at 28°C. Decreased susceptibility to aztreonam and increased susceptibility to Trimethoprim – sulfamethoxazole was observed at 28°C. No differences in virulence, as assayed by a G. mellonella model, were observed. Proteomic analysis showed differential expression of 629 proteins of which 366 were upregulated and 263 were downregulated at 28°C. Upregulation of the Csu- and iron – uptake proteins at 28°C was a key finding to understanding some of the phenotypes displayed at 28 °C by A. baumannii.

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