Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli
06:56

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli

Published on: March 24, 2023

5.2K

Bacteria carrying mobile colistin resistance genes and their control measures, an updated review

Qi Zhang1

  • 1Centre for Eye and Vision Research, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China. qi.zhang.cevr@gmail.com.

Archives of Microbiology
|November 8, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Mobile colistin resistance (MCRs) enzymes are a major threat to last-resort antibiotic efficacy. This review details MCRs

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Biology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Colistin is a critical last-resort antibiotic for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
  • Plasmid-encoded mobile colistin resistance (MCRs) enzymes confer resistance by modifying the bacterial outer membrane.
  • The emergence and spread of MCRs pose a significant global health threat.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and critically discuss recent advancements in the distribution and pathogenesis of mcr-positive bacteria.
  • To analyze the ecology of mcr genes and their impact on clinical treatment.
  • To explore available control measures for infections caused by mcr-positive bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of recent studies on MCRs.
  • Analysis of data on the distribution, pathogenesis, and ecology of mcr genes.
  • Critical discussion of current and emerging control strategies.

Main Results:

  • MCRs significantly compromise colistin's clinical effectiveness.
  • MCR genes are mobile and can co-exist with other antibiotic resistance genes.
  • Understanding MCRs' mechanisms and spread is crucial for effective treatment.

Conclusions:

  • MCRs represent a major challenge to combating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
  • Further research into MCRs' ecology and control is essential.
  • This review provides a comprehensive perspective for developing future therapeutic approaches.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial resistanceColistinControl measuresDistributionMCRs

More Related Videos

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes08:58

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

6.3K
Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing08:19

Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing

Published on: July 7, 2020

10.2K

Related Concept Videos

Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
712
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
998
Conjugation01:19

Conjugation

Conjugation is a form of horizontal gene transfer that primarily occurs in bacteria and some archaea, promoting genetic diversity and adaptation. Bacteria can acquire resistance genes through conjugative plasmids, allowing them to survive antibiotic treatments that would otherwise be lethal. This process involves direct contact between cells through specialized structures such as the sex pilus and is mediated by conjugative plasmids, including the F (fertility) factor.Conjugation requires...
1.7K
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
403
Global Regulatory Systems01:28

Global Regulatory Systems

Global regulatory systems in bacteria enable rapid and coordinated responses to environmental changes by integrating sensory inputs with gene expression, ensuring efficient adaptation to fluctuating conditions. Key global regulatory mechanisms include regulons, two-component systems, sigma factors, and secondary messengers.Regulons and Global RegulatorsA regulon is a collection of genes and operons controlled by a common global regulator. These regulators enable bacteria to prioritize resource...
493
Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview
59.2K