The Immune Response against Acinetobacter baumannii, an Emerging Pathogen in Nosocomial Infections

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Abstract
Acinetobacter baumanniiis the etiologic agent of a wide range of nosocomial infections, including pneumonia, bacteremia, and skin infections. Over the last 45 years, an alarming increase in the antibiotic resistance of this opportunistic microorganism has been reported, a situation that hinders effective treatments. In order to develop effective therapies againstA. baumanniiit is crucial to understand the basis of host–bacterium interactions, especially those concerning the immune response of the host. Different innate immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells have been identified as important effectors in the defense againstA. baumannii; among them, neutrophils represent a key immune cell indispensable for the control of the infection. Several immune strategies to combatA. baumanniihave been identified such as recognition of the bacteria by immune cells through pattern recognition receptors, specifically toll-like receptors, which trigger bactericidal mechanisms including oxidative burst and cytokine and chemokine production to amplify the immune response against the pathogen. However, a complete picture of the protective immune strategies activated by this bacteria and its potential therapeutic use remains to be determined and explored.
Funding Information
  • Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (CB-2015-01-255287 and S008-2015-2-261277)
  • Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IA202116-PAPIIT and IA201116-PAPIIT)

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