Pathogenicity factors of Acinetobacter baumannii

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram–negative, aerobic, oxidase-negative microorganism, a pathogen that causes serious nosocomial infections, as well as community-acquired pneumonia, especially in people with weakened immunity and multiple organ diseases, all over the world. A. baumannii survives for a long time on various surfaces, medical equipment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this microorganism is classified as a threat to human health. The review describes the main factors of pathogenicity of A. baumannii: outer membrane proteins, pili, LPS, capsule, siderophores, biofilm formation, secretion systems. The literature search was carried out using databases “Scopus”, “Web of Science”, “RSCI”, “MedLine”, in the period from 1992 to 2022. The selection of literature sources was carried out based on the availability of information on the study of pathogenicity factors of Acinetobacter baumannii. 60 literature sources were selected that meet the necessary criteria. The search was carried out using keywords and phrases, such as “A. baumannii”, “pathogenicity factors”, “outer membrane proteins”, “pili”, “LPS”, “capsule”, “siderophores”, “biofilm formation”, “secretion systems”. The review presents the latest achievements obtained by foreign and domestic authors. A. baumannii, like other pathogens, requires the coordinated work of various pathogenicity factors for the occurrence of infection. Together, pathogenicity factors enable the microorganism to survive in hospital conditions. Scientific research data indicate a high degree of heterogeneity of A. baumannii strains. Further research should be aimed at molecular genetic studies of the mechanisms of pathogenicity, the emergence of resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Understanding what mechanisms and factors contribute to the virulence of strains is necessary for the development of new methods of combating A. baumannii.