The genome of another super microbe has been decoded
The genome of the pathogenic bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has been decoded, the Sanger Institute (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) and the University of Bristol (Bristol University) report in their press releases with reference to an article in the journal Genome Biology.
Dr. Matthew Avison from the University of Bristol calls the results of the study very disturbing. "Strains are being found that are extremely resistant to all currently available antibiotics. There are no means of combating these microbes yet, even at the stage of development." Understanding the structure of the genome will help researchers cope with this very stable organism, the so-called super microbe.
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an important causative agent of nosocomial diseases: urinary tract infections, peritonitis, wound infections. Patients in intensive care units have pneumonia caused by this bacterium, which is often extremely severe. Infection of the urinary tract often occurs during the installation of a permanent urinary catheter or during instrumental studies. Since the 90s of the last century, a sharp increase in purulent-septic infections caused by a bacterium of this species has been recorded. Approximately 30 percent of cases are fatal.
Infection with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia can occur only by its direct entry into the bloodstream through instruments that have been in contact with the patient's body for a long time. The bacterium attaches to the walls of the catheter and forms a biofilm – an aggregation of microorganisms, which, when the catheter is subsequently filled, enters the blood and, if the patient's immune system is weakened, causes disease.
The main questions open to date are how Stenotrophomonas maltophilia attach to surfaces, how they form biofilms and why they are so resistant to antibiotics.
Researchers believe that genome sequencing will help answer these questions and will be useful in the fight against bacteria. For example, if they find out with which proteins Stenotrophomonas maltophilia are attached to the surface, scientists can create compounds whose impact will hinder this process. If they penetrate the bacterial defense mechanism against antibiotics, they can create inhibitors that block it.
To date, there are already transcripts of the genomes of the more common and no less antibiotic-resistant bacteria Clostridium difficile and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, so it will be interesting for scientists to compare their genetic similarity, which may give the key to deciphering the resistance of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
Related links:
Emerging superbug genome sequenced – Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Press Release, 07.05.08
The complete genome, comparative and functional analysis of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia reveals an organism heavily shielded by drug resistance determinants – Genome Biology, 17.04.08