Genome Sequence Shows What Makes Bacteria Dangerous for Troops in Iraq

Scanning electron microscope image of A. baumannii, with maps of its genome (outer circle) and alien island sequences (inner circle – red). [Courtesy of J.Carr/CDC, T.Gianoulis and D.Massa/ Yale] Researchers at Yale have identified multiple pathogenic “alien islands” in the genome of the A. baumannii, bacteria that has been responsible for new and highly drug-resistant infections in combat troops in the Middle East, according to a report in the March 1 issue of Genes and Development.