Mobile Carbapenemase Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Eun-Jeong Yoon1, Seok Hoon Jeong1
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Research Institute of Bacterial Resistance, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract:
Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the major concerns in clinical settings impelling a great challenge to antimicrobial therapy for patients with infections caused by the pathogen. While membrane permeability, together with derepression of the intrinsic beta-lactamase gene, is the global prevailing mechanism of carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa, the acquired genes for carbapenemases need special attention because horizontal gene transfer through mobile genetic elements, such as integrons, transposons, plasmids, and integrative and conjugative elements, could accelerate the dissemination of the carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa. This review aimed to illustrate epidemiologically the carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa, including the resistance rates worldwide and the carbapenemase-encoding genes along with the mobile genetic elements responsible for the horizontal dissemination of the drug resistance determinants. Moreover, the modular mobile elements including the carbapenemase-encoding gene, also known as the P. aeruginosa resistance islands, are scrutinized mostly for their structures.
Insights
Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a significant threat. This review examines global resistance rates, carbapenemase genes, and mobile genetic elements driving the spread of this challenging pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Genetics
Background:
- Carbapenem-resistant *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* (CRPA) is a critical global health concern.
- CRPA infections present a major challenge to effective antimicrobial therapy.
- Mechanisms include reduced membrane permeability and intrinsic beta-lactamase activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an epidemiological overview of carbapenem resistance in *P. aeruginosa*.
- To detail worldwide resistance rates and identify key carbapenemase-encoding genes.
- To investigate mobile genetic elements facilitating the horizontal gene transfer of resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on epidemiological data.
- Analysis of carbapenemase-encoding genes and their associated mobile genetic elements.
- Examination of the structure of *P. aeruginosa* resistance islands.
Main Results:
- Carbapenem resistance in *P. aeruginosa* varies globally.
- Acquired carbapenemase genes are frequently disseminated via mobile genetic elements.
- Integrons, transposons, plasmids, and integrative and conjugative elements play crucial roles in spread.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the epidemiology and genetic mechanisms of CRPA is vital.
- Mobile genetic elements are key drivers of CRPA dissemination.
- Further research into resistance islands can inform control strategies.
More Related Videos
11:35Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants
Published on: May 4, 2018
08:57Identification of Novel Genes Associated with Alginate Production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Mini-himar1 Mariner Transposon-mediated Mutagenesis
Published on: March 10, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:28Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
00:57Antibiotic Selection