Regulatory Mechanism in Drug-Resistant Superbug

In February 2025, Researchers at IIT Roorkee identified a crucial regulatory mechanism in Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly drug-resistant superbug responsible for severe hospital-acquired infections.

Their study, published in mBio, reveals how the pathogen regulates its virulence and antibiotic resistance, potentially paving the way for new treatment strategies.

Key Findings

Role of Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS): A. baumannii uses T6SS to attack competing microbes, but its regulation remained unclear.
Regulation by Small RNA AbsR28: The research team found that the small RNA molecule AbsR28 controls T6SS based on environmental manganese levels.
Impact of Manganese: High manganese levels suppress T6SS activation by degrading the tssM gene and help the bacteria retain plasmid pAB3, which carries antibiotic resistance genes.
Potential Treatment Approach: Targeting AbsR28 could make A. baumannii more susceptible to antibiotics without directly attacking resistance genes, offering new possibilities for precision medicine.