Interspecies DNA acquisition by a naturally competentAcinetobacter baumanniistrain

Abstract

37Acinetobacter baumannii is a human pathogen that frequently acquires antibiotic 38 resistance genes leading to the emergence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) strains. 39To investigate the role of transformation in the acquisition of resistance 40 determinants by this species, the susceptible strain A118 was exposed to 41 genomic DNA of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp). Resistant 42 transformants were obtained and an increase in the resistance level to all β-43 lactam antibiotics was observed. Whole genome analysis of transformant clones 44 demonstrated the acquisition of CRKp DNA. The most frequently acquired genes 45 correspond to mobile elements, antibiotic resistance genes, and operons 46 involved in metabolism. Bioinformatic analyses and in silico gene flow prediction 47