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Published on: May 8, 2013
Antibiotic resistance in the opportunistic pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
1Departamento de Biotecnología Microbiana, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an environmental bacterium found in the soil, associated with plants and animals, and in aquatic environments. It is also an opportunistic pathogen now causing an increasing number of nosocomial infections. The treatment of S. maltophilia is quite difficult given its intrinsic resistance to a number of antibiotics, and because it is able to acquire new resistances via horizontal gene transfer and mutations. Certainly, strains resistant to quinolones, cotrimoxale and/or cephalosporins-antibiotics commonly used to treat S. maltophilia infections-have emerged. The increasing number of available S. maltophilia genomes has allowed the identification and annotation of a large number of antimicrobial resistance genes. Most encode inactivating enzymes and efflux pumps, but information on their role in intrinsic and acquired resistance is limited. Non-typical antibiotic resistance mechanisms that also form part of the intrinsic resistome have been identified via mutant library screening. These include non-typical antibiotic resistance genes, such as bacterial metabolism genes, and non-inheritable resistant phenotypes, such as biofilm formation and persistence. Their relationships with resistance are complex and require further study.
Insights
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia poses treatment challenges due to its antibiotic resistance. Understanding its resistance genes and mechanisms is crucial for combating nosocomial infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genomics
Background:
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen causing increasing nosocomial infections.
- This bacterium exhibits intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment.
- Emergence of resistance to common antibiotics like quinolones and cephalosporins is a significant concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and annotate antimicrobial resistance genes in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
- To investigate the role of identified genes and non-typical mechanisms in antibiotic resistance.
- To understand the complex relationships contributing to S. maltophilia's resistance.
Main Methods:
- Genomic analysis of available S. maltophilia genomes.
- Identification and annotation of antimicrobial resistance genes.
- Mutant library screening to identify non-typical resistance mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Numerous antimicrobial resistance genes, primarily encoding inactivating enzymes and efflux pumps, have been identified.
- Non-typical resistance mechanisms, including bacterial metabolism genes, biofilm formation, and persistence, have been uncovered.
- Limited information currently exists on the precise role of these genes in intrinsic and acquired resistance.
Conclusions:
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia possesses a complex resistome involving both typical and non-typical resistance mechanisms.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the intricate relationships between identified genes, phenotypes, and antibiotic resistance.
- A deeper understanding is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies against S. maltophilia infections.
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