Further understanding of Pseudomonas aeruginosa’s ability to horizontally acquire virulence: possible intervention strategies

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common, ubiquitous bacterium that is found in natural environments but is also a successful opportunistic pathogen of humans and plants. The reasons for this flexibility and evolutionary success can be attributed to its ability to readily acquire new genes to ensure its survival enabling it to survive desiccation, the action of antimicrobial compounds and invade new territories such as modern hospitals with high levels of antibiotic usage.

Areas covered

Literature was searched using PubMed and Web of science (05/19 to 05/20). Identified studies paint a picture of a dynamic, highly variable population shaped by frequent intra- and inter-species horizontal gene transfer resulting in a species able to resist the action of antibiotics and deploy multiple virulence strategies controlled by complex quorum-sensing systems. We investigate possible control measures including anti-virulence and environmental control measures.

Expert opinion

P. aeruginosa is a resilient, richly diverse species but also a global health threat due to the emergence and global dissemination of successful multiresistant clones that resist all antibiotics. Genomics offers the potential for rapid identification of ‘high-risk’ clones to guide chemotherapy, but novel control measures are also required to slow the species progression to pan-resistance.

KEYWORDS:

• Genomics
• biofilm
• virulence
• high-risk clones

Article highlights

• A review of the state of the art of the fast-moving field of Pseudomonas aeruginosa genomics

• Insight into the species population structure that shows the genetic diversity underlying its evolutionary and environmental flexibility.

• Examination of high-risk multidrug-resistant clone evolution and penetration into healthcare systems.

• Consideration of alternatives and possible adjuncts to antibiotic chemotherapy including environmental control of AMR isolates.

• Review possible interventions with the potential to control or reduce the ability for P. aeruginosa to gain virulence via HGT.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.