About this Research Topic
Acinetobacter has become a significant nosocomial pathogen with increasinlgy alarming resistance to antibiotics, with some isolates being reported as extensively or even pandrug resistant. Additionally, this pathogen has been demonstrated to possess resistance to environmental stressors, the host immune response and low level conditions of essential micronutrients such as iron and zinc. Not only does the inherent genetic plasticity of this pathogen make these phenotypes possible, but it also makes for a pathogen that is difficult to treat clinically. The development of new therapeutics for Acinetobacter infection is exceedingly difficult due to the paucity of information in the literature pertaining to the molecular mechanisms of virulence and resistance utilized by this bacterium.
To this end, literature improving the understanding of the physiology of this pathogen including its resistance phenotypes and underlying virulence mechanisms are of paramount importance. Studies further elucidating this physiology will not only improve the understanding of host-pathogen interactions but also aid in the discovery of possible therapeutic targets for the development of novel drugs. These novel treatment modalities are critically needed considering the number of resistant isolates encountered in the clinical setting. In fact, the World Health Organization considers the development of new therapeutics against Acinetobacter a critical priority to public health, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers Acinetobacter an urgent threat to public health.
This Research Topic will welcome Original Research and Reviews to build an understanding of the genetics and physiology underlying mechanisms of resistance in Acinetobacter. Particular focus areas include resistance to: antimicrobials, environmental stressors such as light, radiation and desiccation, host immunological responses and micronutrient restricting conditions.
To this end, literature improving the understanding of the physiology of this pathogen including its resistance phenotypes and underlying virulence mechanisms are of paramount importance. Studies further elucidating this physiology will not only improve the understanding of host-pathogen interactions but also aid in the discovery of possible therapeutic targets for the development of novel drugs. These novel treatment modalities are critically needed considering the number of resistant isolates encountered in the clinical setting. In fact, the World Health Organization considers the development of new therapeutics against Acinetobacter a critical priority to public health, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers Acinetobacter an urgent threat to public health.
This Research Topic will welcome Original Research and Reviews to build an understanding of the genetics and physiology underlying mechanisms of resistance in Acinetobacter. Particular focus areas include resistance to: antimicrobials, environmental stressors such as light, radiation and desiccation, host immunological responses and micronutrient restricting conditions.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
