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Acquired antibiotic resistance genes: an overview
Angela H A M van Hoek1, Dik Mevius, Beatriz Guerra
1Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment Utrecht, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|November 3, 2011
Summary
This review details antibiotic resistance (AR) mechanisms and genes. It focuses on acquired resistance and the mobile genetic elements that spread these resistance genes among bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Antibiotics are crucial for treating bacterial infections.
- Antibiotic resistance (AR) poses a significant global health threat.
- Understanding AR mechanisms is vital for developing new treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
- To highlight known antibiotic resistance genes.
- To discuss the role of mobile genetic elements in the spread of AR.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
- Analysis of antibiotic resistance genes.
- Examination of mobile genetic elements (plasmids, transposons, integrons).
Main Results:
- Detailed overview of various antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
- Identification and discussion of numerous antibiotic resistance genes.
- Explanation of how mobile genetic elements facilitate the dissemination of AR genes.
Conclusions:
- Acquired antibiotic resistance is largely mediated by specific genes.
- Mobile genetic elements are key drivers in the spread of antibiotic resistance.
- Continued research into AR mechanisms and gene transfer is essential.
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