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Antibiotic resistance in probiotic bacteria.
Miguel Gueimonde1, Borja Sánchez, Clara G de Los Reyes-Gavilán
1Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|July 25, 2013
Summary
Probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium offer health benefits. However, antibiotic resistance in some strains poses a safety risk by potentially spreading to pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gut Microbiota Research
- Food Safety
Background:
- Probiotics are live microorganisms conferring health benefits.
- Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are key probiotic genera, common in the human gut and used in food fermentation.
- Antibiotic resistance in probiotics can be intrinsic or acquired.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety implications of antibiotic resistance in probiotic bacteria.
- To differentiate between intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance in probiotics.
- To assess the risk of antibiotic resistance gene transfer from probiotics to pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on probiotic bacteria and antibiotic resistance.
- Analysis of resistance mechanisms (mutations, intrinsic vs. mobile genetic elements).
- Assessment of potential public health risks associated with antibiotic resistance determinants.
Main Results:
- Intrinsic antibiotic resistance in probiotics is generally not a safety concern and may be beneficial for gut microbiota restoration.
- Specific antibiotic resistance determinants, like tetracycline resistance genes on mobile genetic elements, are frequently found in common probiotic genera.
- These mobile resistance genes represent a significant safety issue due to potential transfer to pathogens.
Conclusions:
- While some antibiotic resistance in probiotics is not a concern, the presence of transferable resistance genes is a serious safety issue.
- Careful evaluation of probiotic strains for mobile antibiotic resistance determinants is crucial.
- Understanding resistance mechanisms is key to ensuring the safe use of probiotics.
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