Next Article in Journal
Unraveling Shallot Viral Diversity: PCR Detection and In Vitro Culture
Previous Article in Journal
Species Distribution of Candida Isolates in Amniotic Fluid, Vaginal Discharge, and Lochial Cultures in Obstetric and Gynecological Patients: A Retrospective Single-Center Study
Previous Article in Special Issue
Deciphering the Implications of Escherichia coli in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Symbiont to Pathogen
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Pathogens
Volume 15
Issue 8
10.3390/pathogens15080798
pathogens-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

Virulence and Resistance Mechanisms in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

by
Priya Rajendran
1,*,
Rameshkumar Marimuthu Ragavan
2,
Renuka James
3,
Bindu Dhanapal
4,
Mullai Venkatachalam
5,
Jeevarahini Reghupathy
1 and
Ramachandran Vignesh
6,*
1
Department of Bacteriology, ICMR—National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai 600031, India
2
Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305817, India
3
Department of Microbiology, The American College, Madurai 625002, India
4
Department of Microbiology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai 600044, India
5
Anderson Diagnostics & Labs, Chennai 600006, India
6
Preclinical Department, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh 30450, Malaysia
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pathogens 2026, 15(8), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15080798
Submission received: 1 June 2026 / Revised: 5 July 2026 / Accepted: 6 July 2026 / Published: 28 July 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virulence and Resistance Mechanisms in Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria: 2nd Edition)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium in the ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, A. baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.), has emerged as a leading cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. It is known to possess diverse virulence traits and antimicrobial resistance, making it a critical priority pathogen on the World Health Organization’s 2024 Bacterial Priority Pathogens List. Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) is currently endemic across several continents, with global carbapenem resistance exceeding 70% in healthcare settings and multidrug-resistant infections being associated with alarming mortality rates. This review comprehensively discusses the molecular underpinnings of A. baumannii pathogenesis and virulence, detailing the array of factors coordinated by complex regulatory networks. The convergence of this pathogen’s virulence and antimicrobial resistance traits, resulting in multidrug resistance, leaves clinicians with only a handful of therapeutic options. The review also discusses upcoming therapeutic strategies, including phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, monoclonal antibodies, photodynamic therapy, and vaccine candidates in the pipeline. While emerging therapeutics show promise, several challenges remain, and integrated approaches are warranted to efficiently combat A. baumannii’s virulence and resistance armamentarium.
Keywords: Acinetobacter spp.; multidrug resistance; CRAB; virulence mechanism; treatment Acinetobacter spp.; multidrug resistance; CRAB; virulence mechanism; treatment

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Rajendran, P.; Marimuthu Ragavan, R.; James, R.; Dhanapal, B.; Venkatachalam, M.; Reghupathy, J.; Vignesh, R. Virulence and Resistance Mechanisms in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Pathogens 2026, 15, 798. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15080798

AMA Style

Rajendran P, Marimuthu Ragavan R, James R, Dhanapal B, Venkatachalam M, Reghupathy J, Vignesh R. Virulence and Resistance Mechanisms in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Pathogens. 2026; 15(8):798. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15080798

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rajendran, Priya, Rameshkumar Marimuthu Ragavan, Renuka James, Bindu Dhanapal, Mullai Venkatachalam, Jeevarahini Reghupathy, and Ramachandran Vignesh. 2026. "Virulence and Resistance Mechanisms in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii" Pathogens 15, no. 8: 798. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15080798

APA Style

Rajendran, P., Marimuthu Ragavan, R., James, R., Dhanapal, B., Venkatachalam, M., Reghupathy, J., & Vignesh, R. (2026). Virulence and Resistance Mechanisms in Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Pathogens, 15(8), 798. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15080798

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop