Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: Scientists have used machine learning to discover a potential new antibiotic called abaucin, which targets the highly resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria.
What is Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria?
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative bacteria known for its ability to develop resistance to many antibiotics. It is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections and is considered a “red alert” pathogen. A. baumannii has a protective outer membrane that allows it to resist antibiotics, making it challenging to treat.
What is the threat?
It is commonly found in the environment, like in soil and water. It can cause infections in blood, urinary tract, and lungs, or in wounds. WHO has classified it as a critical threat among its “priority pathogens” – a group of bacteria families that pose the greatest threat to human health.
Working of abaucin:
Abaucin works by disrupting the normal function of a protein called CCR2 in bacteria. This disruption affects the movement of certain molecules inside the bacteria, preventing them from reaching the outer membrane. As a result, the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii is inhibited, making it less able to cause infections. Abaucin is selective in its action and mainly targets Acinetobacter baumannii, leaving other bacteria unharmed.
About Gram-negative bacteria:
It is a type of bacteria characterized by its cell structure and response to a staining method called the Gram stain. E.g., Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella
