Mutation to ispA Produces Stable Small-Colony Variants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa That Have Enhanced Aminoglycoside Resistance

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major pathogen in burn wound infections. We present one of the first reports of small-colony variant (SCV) emergence of P. aeruginosa, taken from a patient under aminoglycosides for a persistent burn wound infection. We confirm the causative role of a single ispA mutation in SCV emergence and increased aminoglycoside resistance. IspA is involved in the synthesis of ubiquinone, providing a possible link between electron transport and SCV formation in P. aeruginosa.

Automated summary

This study reports a case of small-colony variant (SCV) emergence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a patient undergoing aminoglycoside treatment for burn wound infection, and confirms the causative role of a single ispA mutation in SCV emergence and increased aminoglycoside resistance. The involvement of IspA in ubiquinone synthesis provides a possible link between electron transport and SCV formation in P. aeruginosa.