A number of molecular tools have been used to study outbreaks of A. baumannii infections in hospitals. Graser et al. used RAPD to investigate an outbreak of A. baumannii (28). However, because there have been limited studies on unrelated isolates our study, involving as it does different types of cases and sources, assumes significance and explains the genetic heterogeneity seen in the RAPD analysis (Fig. 3). Although biofilm forming HIF-1�� pathway ability is associated with bacterial virulence

there are limited studies on biofilm formation by Acinetobacter spp. (1, 29). In our study, more A. baumannii (79.2%) produced biofilm than other Acinetobacter spp (42.9%). Since biofilm formation helps the organism to adhere to surfaces including host cells (12), the higher prevalence of A. baumannii in clinical cases may be related to its biofilm forming ability. LY2606368 Our study also assumes significance in the context of involvement of Acinetobacter species, including

A. baumannii, in nosocomial infections, their multidrug resistance and ability to form biofilms that could be a virulence marker and help in their survival. Though the problem is recognized globally, these factors have not been addressed sufficiently. This comprehensive study provides information on the prevalence of carbapenemase resistance, presence of blaOXA-51 gene, and biofilm forming ability of A. baumannii and, through the use of RAPD, provides an insight into their clonal relationships and genetic

heterogeneity. The authors are grateful to Dr. Srikala Baliga and Dr. C. V. Raghuveer for reading the manuscript and their valuable discussions. “
“Previous studies demonstrated that the CXCL12 peptide analogue CTCE-0214 (CTCE) has beneficial effects in experimental sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). We examined the hypothesis that CTCE recruits neutrophils (PMN) to the site of infection, enhances PMN function and improves survival of mice in CLP-induced sepsis with antibiotic Cyclin-dependent kinase 3 treatment. Septic mice (n=15) were administered imipenem (25mg/kg) and CTCE (10 mg/kg) subcutaneously vs. vehicle control at designated intervals post-CLP. CTCE treatment increased PMN recruitment in CLP-induced sepsis as evidenced by increased PMN in blood by 2.4±0.6 fold at 18h, 2.9±0.6 fold at 24h, respectively and in peritoneal fluid by 2.0±0.2 fold at 24h vs. vehicle control. CTCE treatment reduced bacterial invasion in blood (CFU decreased 77±11%), peritoneal fluid (CFU decreased 78±9%) and lung (CFU decreased 79±8% vs. CLP vehicle). The improved PMN recruitment and bacterial clearance correlated with reduced mortality with CTCE treatment (20% vs. 67% vehicle controls). In vitro studies support the notion that CTCE augments PMN function by enhancing phagocytic activity (1.25±0.