IIT Rourkee researchers uncover defensive mechanism of superbug

The study, published in mBio, the journal of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), reveals how the pathogen controls its attack and defense systems, paving the way for new treatment strategies.

Hyderabad: Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) have uncovered a crucial regulatory mechanism in Acinetobacter baumannii, a superbug that is highly resistant to drugs and causes life-threatening infections including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections.

The study, published in mBio, the journal of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), reveals how the pathogen controls its attack and defense systems, paving the way for new treatment strategies.

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Acinetobacter baumannii is notorious for its ability to resist multiple antibiotics, making it a serious threat in healthcare settings. A major survival tool of this superbug is the Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS) – a bacterial “weapon” used to attack competing microbes. However, how A. baumannii regulates T6SS while maintaining antibiotic resistance has remained unclear until now.

The research team, led by Prof. Ranjana Pathania, in the study discovered the exact way A. baumannii switches T6SS on or off based on environmental conditions. “We found that when A. baumannii activates T6SS, it becomes more vulnerable to antibiotics and oxidative stress. So, the bacteria must carefully regulate this system to survive in different conditions,” said Prof. Pathania.

“Our discovery sheds light on how this pathogen adapts during infections, helping it evade both antibiotics and the immune system.”

The research team includes Somok Bhowmik, Avik Pathak, Shivam Pandey, Kuldip Devnath, Abhiroop Sett, Nishant Jyoti, Timsy Bhando, Jawed Akhter, Saurabh Chugh, Dr. Ramandeep Singh, and Tarun Kumar Sharma.

Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “Such discoveries pave the way for innovative solutions in tackling antibiotic resistance and improving healthcare outcomes.”