Research progress in tigecycline resistance genes tet(X) in Acinetobacter spp.

Abstract:

Acinetobacter spp. are the common opportunistic pathogens worldwide and pose a threat to the health of humans and animals. As the resistance rate to carbapenems aggravates, tigecycline has become one of the last lines for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter spp. infection. The rapid dissemination of tigecycline resistance genes tet(X3), tet(X4), tet(X5), tet(X6), and other variants in recent years has seriously affected the clinical application of new tetracycline antibiotics such as tigecycline, eravacycline, and omadacycline, whereas there is a lack of review on the tet(X) genes in Acinetobacter spp. This article comprehensively expounds the mechanisms of action, epidemiological characteristics, transmission risks, and inhibitors of tet(X) genes in Acinetobacter spp. and evaluates the diversity of their variants, bacterial hosts, geographical distribution, and sampling sources, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of tet(X)-positive Acinetobacter spp.