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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

Pathogens resistant to antimicrobial agents: epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, and clinical management

Keith S Kaye1, John J Engemann, Henry S Fraimow

  • 1Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3152, Durham, NC 27710, USA. kaye0001@mc.duke.edu

Infectious Disease Clinics of North America
|August 17, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial drug resistance is rising in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, spreading beyond hospitals into communities. This review covers the epidemiology, resistance mechanisms, and treatment for drug-resistant pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Increasing rates of antimicrobial drug resistance in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria pose a significant global health threat.
  • Traditionally confined to healthcare settings, resistant pathogens are now emerging in community and long-term care facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance.
  • To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial resistance.
  • To discuss available treatment options for resistant infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological data on antimicrobial resistance.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms of resistance in bacteria.
  • Synthesis of current treatment strategies and guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem affecting both hospital and community settings.
  • Diverse molecular mechanisms contribute to the spread of resistance traits.
  • Effective treatment options are becoming more limited.

Conclusions:

  • Urgent strategies are needed to combat the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance.
  • Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing new therapies.
  • Multifaceted approaches are required to manage drug-resistant pathogens effectively.

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