A conserved region of Acinetobacter trimeric autotransporter adhesion, Ata, provokes suppression of Acinetobacter baumannii virulence.

The Acinetobacter trimeric autotransporter adhesin (Ata) is an important virulence factor. The conserved region from the genomic sequence of a 6777bp/2258 amino acid of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC®19606™ ata was explored. A 263aa of the C-terminal of Ata (rcAta) was expressed. The effect of rcAta on A. baumannii virulence was studied in a murine model. IgG and IgA were elicited and the mice groups challenged with A. baumannii showed significant survival rates from 66 to 100%. The bacterial loads were determined in the spleens, livers, and lungs of both control and test groups. The adhesion rate of A. baumannii to A549 cells in the presence of serum, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and biofilm disruption potential of rcAta were determined. Intraperitoneally challenged groups showed a significantly reduced bacterial load in the organs of the immunized mice. Intranasal challenge reduced 4 logs of bacterial CFU/g in the test group. The immunized mice sera reduced adherence of A. baumannii to A549 cells to 80%. No cytotoxic or mutagenic effect was detected. Biofilm disruption was significantly increased in the presence of immunized mice sera. Immunization with the conserved region of Ata significantly combats the virulence of A. baumannii which could be considered as a therapeutic strategy to control A. baumannii infections.