Combinatorial genetic evolution of multiresistance

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2006 Oct;9(5):476-82. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2006.08.009. Epub 2006 Aug 30.

Abstract

The explosion in genetic information, whilst extending our knowledge, might not necessary increase our conceptual understanding on the complexities of bacterial genetics, or why some antibiotic resistant genotypes such as blaCTX-M-15 and blaVIM-2 appear to dominate. However, the information we have thus far suggests that clinical isolates have 'hijacked' plasmids, primarily built of backbone-DNA originating from environmental bacteria. Additionally, the combinatorial presence of other elements such as transposons, integrons, insertion sequence (IS) elements and the 'new' ISCR (IS common region) elements have also contributed to the increase in antibiotic resistance - an antibiotic resistant cluster composing four or five genes has become commonplace. In some instances, the presence of antibiotics themselves, such as fluoroquinolones, can mediate a bacterial SOS cell response, subsequently amplifying and/or augmenting the transfer of large genetic entities therefore, potentially promoting long-term detrimental effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacteria / genetics*
  • Bacteria / pathogenicity
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Introns
  • Multigene Family
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Bacterial