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Class 1 integrons as invasive species.

Michael R Gillings1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|April 18, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Clinical class 1 integrons are rapidly spreading antibiotic resistance globally. These mobile genetic elements, similar to invasive species, contaminate environments and infect numerous bacteria, posing a significant public health threat.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Clinical class 1 integrons are key drivers in the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance.
  • Their conserved structure suggests a single, recent ancestor for all current variants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary trajectory and ecological impact of clinical class 1 integrons.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of conserved motifs within integron structures.
  • Tracking the distribution and abundance of integrons across bacterial species and environments.

Main Results:

  • Integrons show a dramatic increase in distribution and abundance over the past century.
  • They have spread to over 70 medically important bacterial species and all continents.
  • Linkage with other resistance genes facilitates their spread and environmental contamination.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical class 1 integrons exhibit invasive species-like behavior, thriving under human impact.
  • Their widespread dissemination makes them significant pollutants in natural environments.
  • Understanding their spread is crucial for combating antibiotic resistance.

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