An example of modern translational research, from molecule to preventive action

The gap between scientific knowledge and clinical practice in the prevention of dissemination of highly virulent multiresistant pathogens is substantial. Therefore, it is critical that initiatives such as TROCAR are implemented to provide basic biological information about these pathogens.

The project will focus on three major strategic aims:

• The definition of the major high-risk resistant clones based on an appropriate representative collection and new clinical strains.
• Genomic and proteomic approaches to investigate specific traits associated with virulence, transmission, persistence and resistance of epidemic clones in comparison with non-epidemic clones, as well as resistance determinants and their genetic location
• The development of bioinformatics tools to fully exploit the genomics data and allow the rapid identification of resistant strains with heightened epidemic potential.

The ultimate goal of TROCAR is to define genotypic or phenotypic traits of highly virulent multiresistant strains of:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE)
• Extended-spectrum, metallo- and acquired AmpC beta-lactamase (ESMAC-BL) producing Enterobacteriaceae
• Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Resistance, transmissibility and virulence are likely interlinked and they can be considered the vertex of a triangle that covers a coherent strategy to control the increase of antimicrobial resistance and dissemination of multiresistant microorganisms.

The project will mobilise experts from around Europe and generate data from many regions. It will then be possible to build up the full picture of the current dissemination of high-risk clones of the aforementioned microorganisms.