Complete genome sequence of the cystic fibrosis pathogen Achromobacter xylosoxidans NH44784-1996 complies with important pathogenic phenotypes

PLoS One. 2013 Jul 22;8(7):e68484. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068484. Print 2013.

Abstract

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is an environmental opportunistic pathogen, which infects an increasing number of immunocompromised patients. In this study we combined genomic analysis of a clinical isolated A. xylosoxidans strain with phenotypic investigations of its important pathogenic features. We present a complete assembly of the genome of A. xylosoxidans NH44784-1996, an isolate from a cystic fibrosis patient obtained in 1996. The genome of A. xylosoxidans NH44784-1996 contains approximately 7 million base pairs with 6390 potential protein-coding sequences. We identified several features that render it an opportunistic human pathogen, We found genes involved in anaerobic growth and the pgaABCD operon encoding the biofilm adhesin poly-β-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamin. Furthermore, the genome contains a range of antibiotic resistance genes coding efflux pump systems and antibiotic modifying enzymes. In vitro studies of A. xylosoxidans NH44784-1996 confirmed the genomic evidence for its ability to form biofilms, anaerobic growth via denitrification, and resistance to a broad range of antibiotics. Our investigation enables further studies of the functionality of important identified genes contributing to the pathogenicity of A. xylosoxidans and thereby improves our understanding and ability to treat this emerging pathogen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Achromobacter denitrificans / drug effects
  • Achromobacter denitrificans / genetics*
  • Achromobacter denitrificans / metabolism
  • Achromobacter denitrificans / physiology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Adhesion / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology*
  • Denitrification / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Genome, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Genomics
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Annotation
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Phenotype*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-Lactamases
  • Oxygen

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant from the Lundbeck Foundation to TB and by a grant from the Danish Strategic Research Council to MG. CFIM (Core Facility for Integrated Microscopy, The Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen) is acknowledged for access to SEM. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.