Role of the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) in the interaction of Acinetobacter bauamnnii with host cells

Abstract

Background: In light of increasing antibiotic resistance the World Health Organization published a list of pathogens where Acinetobacter baumannii is considered as the most threatening Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). It is an GNB which is associated with hospital-acquired infections and its prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains is increasing. In addition, the identification of outer membrane protein A (OmpA) as a key bacterial virulence factor has been a major breakthrough (1). It is the most abundant and conserved porin asociated with A. baumannii virulence and survival (1,2). In this regard, the aim of this study is understanding OmpA mechanism of action in host- pathogen interaction that could be relevant as a therapeutic target in the future.