Achromobacter xylosoxidans (A. xylosoxidans)

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-fermenting bacillus that acts as an opportunistic human pathogen widely distributed in aquatic and soil environments [2, 7]. It is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of healthcare-associated infections and chronic respiratory colonization, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis or underlying malignancies [1, 9]. The organism is characterized by a high degree of intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance, mediated by complex mechanisms such as RND-type efflux pumps (e.g., AxyABM) and various beta-lactamases like OXA-114 [11, 14]. Clinically, it is associated with a range of conditions including bacteremia, pneumonia, meningitis, and urinary tract infections [6, 13]. Therapeutic management is notably difficult due to its extensive resistance profile, with piperacillin-tazobactam, carbapenems, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole remaining among the few consistently active agents [3, 16]. Because Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a bacterial species and not a specific biomolecule or receptor, it does not represent a traditional therapeutic molecular target [1, 15].

Other names

Alcaligenes xylosoxidansAchromobacter xylosoxidans subsp. xylosoxidansA. xylosoxidans

Antibiotics targeting this organism work through various mechanisms, including the inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis (beta-lactams), inhibition of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV (fluoroquinolones), and interference with the folate synthesis pathway (sulfonamides and trimethoprim) [3, 5, 11].