Maternal-infant antibiotic resistance genes transference: what do we know?

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Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
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Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

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Anna Samarra1, Maria Esteban-Torres1, Raul Cabrera-Rubio1

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology- National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), Valencia, Spain.

Gut Microbes
|April 6, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic resistance poses a global threat, especially to newborns whose immune systems are developing. Understanding how antibiotic resistance genes transfer from mothers to infants is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Neonatal Health

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health crisis, with multidrug-resistant pathogens threatening effective treatments.
  • Newborns are particularly vulnerable to infections and the acquisition of antibiotic resistance due to their immature immune systems.
  • The mother-infant dyad represents a critical window for the transmission of antibiotic resistance, influencing long-term health outcomes.

Approach:

  • This review synthesizes current knowledge on antibiotic resistance in mother-infant dyads.
  • It examines factors influencing the neonatal resistome, including delivery mode and maternal antibiotic exposure.
  • The review highlights the understudied role of breast milk in the vertical transmission of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs).

Key Points:

  • Early life exposure to antibiotic-resistant microorganisms can lead to colonization of the infant's gut and other sites.
  • Maternal factors such as gestational age, delivery mode, and antibiotic history significantly shape the infant's developing microbiota and resistome.
  • Breast milk's contribution to the transfer of ARGs from mother to infant requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of the mother-infant resistome is essential for combating the spread of antibiotic resistance.
  • Further research into breast milk's role in ARG transmission is needed to develop targeted strategies for reducing early-life antibiotic resistance.
  • Closing knowledge gaps in vertical transmission is vital for safeguarding neonatal health against antibiotic-resistant infections.

Keywords:
Antibioticbreastmilkgutinfantmicrobiotamotherpregnancyresistome

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