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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
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Multi-Drug Resistance in Bacterial Genomes-A Comprehensive Bioinformatic Analysis
Célia P F Domingues1,2, João S Rebelo1, Francisco Dionisio1
1cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE, Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 29, 2023
Summary
Multi-drug resistance is a major public health threat. A large-scale genomic analysis revealed that most bacterial genomes carry resistance genes, with co-occurrences on plasmids potentially accelerating the spread of critical antibiotic resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Public Health
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health challenge.
- The overuse of antibiotics drives the evolution of multi-drug resistance (MDR).
- Understanding resistance gene distribution is crucial for combating AMR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a large-scale genomic analysis of bacterial resistance genes.
- To identify patterns of multi-drug resistance, including co-occurrences.
- To investigate resistance in World Health Organization (WHO) priority pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of closed bacterial genomes.
- Utilized ResFinder for antimicrobial resistance gene identification.
- Examined co-occurrence of resistance genes on plasmids and chromosomes.
Main Results:
- Over 95% of analyzed genomes possess resistance genes to disinfectants, glycopeptides, macrolides, and tetracyclines.
- Each genome, on average, encodes resistance to more than nine antimicrobial classes.
- Higher-than-expected co-occurrences of resistance genes were observed, particularly on plasmids for WHO critical pathogens, suggesting rapid dissemination.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial genomes frequently harbor multiple antibiotic resistance genes.
- Co-occurrence of resistance genes on plasmids in critical pathogens highlights potential for epidemic spread.
- New therapeutic strategies are needed to address infections caused by highly resistant bacteria.
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