[Antibiotic resistance: A global crisis]

Abstract

The introduction of antibiotics into clinical practice represented one of the most important interventions for the control of infectious diseases. Antibiotics have saved millions of lives and have also brought a revolution in medicine. However, an increasing threat has deteriorated the effectiveness of these drugs, that of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, which is defined here as the ability of bacteria to survive in antibiotic concentrations that inhibit/kill others of the same species. In this review some recent and important examples of resistance in pathogens of concern for mankind are mentioned. It is explained, according to present knowledge, the process that led to the current situation in a short time, evolutionarily speaking. It begins with the resistance genes, continues with clones and genetic elements involved in the maintenance and dissemination, and ends with other factors that contribute to its spread. Possible responses to the problem are also reviewed, with special reference to the development of new antibiotics.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotic resistance genes; Antimicrobial stewardship; Extensión de la resistencia; Genes de resistencia a antibióticos; New antibiotics; Nuevos antibióticos; Resistencia a antibióticos; Spread of antibiotic resistance; Uso racional de antimicrobianos.