Synergistic effect and mechanism of meropenem with ciprofloxacin against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

IntroductionAcinetobacter baumannii has been recognized as a major public health concern, and carbapenems have been considered the first-line treatment for Acinetobacter baumannii infections. However, their widespread and prolonged use has led to the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter b...

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Main Authors: Ying Feng, Xu Chen, Yu Sun, Tingting Guo, Feng Wu, Feng Jin, Jun Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1534155/full
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author Ying Feng
Xu Chen
Yu Sun
Tingting Guo
Feng Wu
Feng Jin
Jun Zhou
author_facet Ying Feng
Xu Chen
Yu Sun
Tingting Guo
Feng Wu
Feng Jin
Jun Zhou
author_sort Ying Feng
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionAcinetobacter baumannii has been recognized as a major public health concern, and carbapenems have been considered the first-line treatment for Acinetobacter baumannii infections. However, their widespread and prolonged use has led to the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), which has become a significant nosocomial pathogen. The control and treatment of CRAB infections have become a global challenge.MethodsLogistic regression was applied to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic risk factors of CRAB infections. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of three clinical CRAB isolates was carried out to determine their genotype. The antibacterial efficacy of meropenem combined with ciprofloxacin was evaluated using checkerboard and growth curve assays. Transcriptomics analysis was futher used to analysis the molecular mechanism related to the combination treatment.ResultsLogistic regression analysis identified the duration of antibiotic use, glucocorticoid application, C-reactive protein levels, and creatine kinase-MB levels as independent risk factors for poor prognosis in CRAB patients. Multilocus sequence typing of three CRAB isolates revealed that all isolates were ST208 genotype. Checkerboard and Growth Curve assays demonstrated that the combination of ciprofloxacin and meropenem had significant bactericidal effects on CRAB, outer membrane permeability, membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species generation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the combination inhibited efflux pump function, reduced iron uptake, and impacted metabolic pathways, membrane protein synthesis, and stress responses, thereby enhancing bacterial killing.DiscussionThe findings from this study underscore the synergistic effect of ciprofloxacin and meropenem not only offers a potential alternative treatment strategy but also highlights the importance of combination therapy in overcoming antibiotic resistance, which pose a significant threat to public health.
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spelling doaj-art-dd4a10afa99840e5b630b761b604e0c82025-08-20T02:31:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-05-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15341551534155Synergistic effect and mechanism of meropenem with ciprofloxacin against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanniiYing Feng0Xu Chen1Yu Sun2Tingting Guo3Feng Wu4Feng Jin5Jun Zhou6Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Microbiology, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, ChinaIntroductionAcinetobacter baumannii has been recognized as a major public health concern, and carbapenems have been considered the first-line treatment for Acinetobacter baumannii infections. However, their widespread and prolonged use has led to the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), which has become a significant nosocomial pathogen. The control and treatment of CRAB infections have become a global challenge.MethodsLogistic regression was applied to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic risk factors of CRAB infections. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of three clinical CRAB isolates was carried out to determine their genotype. The antibacterial efficacy of meropenem combined with ciprofloxacin was evaluated using checkerboard and growth curve assays. Transcriptomics analysis was futher used to analysis the molecular mechanism related to the combination treatment.ResultsLogistic regression analysis identified the duration of antibiotic use, glucocorticoid application, C-reactive protein levels, and creatine kinase-MB levels as independent risk factors for poor prognosis in CRAB patients. Multilocus sequence typing of three CRAB isolates revealed that all isolates were ST208 genotype. Checkerboard and Growth Curve assays demonstrated that the combination of ciprofloxacin and meropenem had significant bactericidal effects on CRAB, outer membrane permeability, membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species generation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the combination inhibited efflux pump function, reduced iron uptake, and impacted metabolic pathways, membrane protein synthesis, and stress responses, thereby enhancing bacterial killing.DiscussionThe findings from this study underscore the synergistic effect of ciprofloxacin and meropenem not only offers a potential alternative treatment strategy but also highlights the importance of combination therapy in overcoming antibiotic resistance, which pose a significant threat to public health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1534155/fullcarbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB)meropenemciprofloxacinbiofilm formationtranscriptomics
spellingShingle Ying Feng
Xu Chen
Yu Sun
Tingting Guo
Feng Wu
Feng Jin
Jun Zhou
Synergistic effect and mechanism of meropenem with ciprofloxacin against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Frontiers in Pharmacology
carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB)
meropenem
ciprofloxacin
biofilm formation
transcriptomics
title Synergistic effect and mechanism of meropenem with ciprofloxacin against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
title_full Synergistic effect and mechanism of meropenem with ciprofloxacin against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
title_fullStr Synergistic effect and mechanism of meropenem with ciprofloxacin against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic effect and mechanism of meropenem with ciprofloxacin against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
title_short Synergistic effect and mechanism of meropenem with ciprofloxacin against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
title_sort synergistic effect and mechanism of meropenem with ciprofloxacin against carbapenem resistant acinetobacter baumannii
topic carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB)
meropenem
ciprofloxacin
biofilm formation
transcriptomics
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1534155/full
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