Threat and Control of tet(X)-Mediated Tigecycline-Resistant Acinetobacter sp. Bacteria

Chen, Chong; Wu, Taotao; Liu, Jing; Gao, Jie

doi:10.3390/foods14193374

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Threat and Control of tet(X)-Mediated Tigecycline-Resistant Acinetobacter sp. Bacteria

by

Chong Chen

^1,2,*

,

Taotao Wu

^1,2,

Jing Liu

^1,2 and

Jie Gao

^1,2

¹

Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

²

College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Foods 2025, 14(19), 3374; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14193374

Submission received: 7 September 2025 / Revised: 27 September 2025 / Accepted: 28 September 2025 / Published: 29 September 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies for Controlling Pathogenic Microbial Contamination in Animal-Derived Food Products: An Antimicrobial Approach)

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Abstract

Tigecycline is regarded as one of the last-resort antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter sp. bacteria. Recently, the tigecycline-resistant Acinetobacter sp. isolates mediated by tet(X) genes have emerged as a class of global pathogens for humans and food-producing animals. However, the genetic diversities and treatment options were not systematically discussed in the era of One Health. In this review, we provide a detailed illustration of the evolution route, distribution characteristics, horizontal transmission, and rapid detection of tet(X) genes in diverse Acinetobacter species. We also detail the application of chemical drugs, plant extracts, phages, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and CRISPR-Cas technologies for controlling tet(X)-positive Acinetobacter sp. pathogens. Despite excellent activities, the antibacterial spectrum and application safety need further evaluation and resolution. It is noted that deep learning is a promising approach to identify more potent antimicrobial compounds.

Keywords: Acinetobacter spp.; food-producing animals; tigecycline resistance; tet(X); rapid detection; treatment options

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MDPI and ACS Style

Chen, C.; Wu, T.; Liu, J.; Gao, J. Threat and Control of tet(X)-Mediated Tigecycline-Resistant Acinetobacter sp. Bacteria. Foods 2025, 14, 3374. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14193374

AMA Style

Chen C, Wu T, Liu J, Gao J. Threat and Control of tet(X)-Mediated Tigecycline-Resistant Acinetobacter sp. Bacteria. Foods. 2025; 14(19):3374. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14193374

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chen, Chong, Taotao Wu, Jing Liu, and Jie Gao. 2025. "Threat and Control of tet(X)-Mediated Tigecycline-Resistant Acinetobacter sp. Bacteria" Foods 14, no. 19: 3374. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14193374

APA Style

Chen, C., Wu, T., Liu, J., & Gao, J. (2025). Threat and Control of tet(X)-Mediated Tigecycline-Resistant Acinetobacter sp. Bacteria. Foods, 14(19), 3374. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14193374

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

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Threat and Control of tet(X)-Mediated Tigecycline-Resistant Acinetobacter sp. Bacteria

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