An overview of the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of bacteria

Abstract

Resistance to antimicrobial agents has become a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. When antibiotics were first introduced in the 1900's, it was thought that we had won the war against microorganisms. It was soon discovered however, that the microorganisms were capable of developing resistance to any of the drugs that were used. Apparently most pathogenic microorganisms have the capability of developing resistance to at least some antimicrobial agents. The main mechanisms of resistance are: limiting uptake of a drug, modification of a drug target, inactivation of a drug, and active efflux of a drug. These mechanisms may be native to the microorganisms, or acquired from other microorganisms. Understanding more about these mechanisms should hopefully lead to better treatment options for infective diseases, and development of antimicrobial drugs that can withstand the microorganisms attempts to become resistant.

Keywords: CRE; ESBL; MRSA; antimicrobial resistance; β-lactamase.

Figure 1.. Resistance vs. persistence. When bacterial cells are exposed to an antimicrobial agent there are two possible scenarios. There may be cells present that are resistant to the antimicrobial agent (A). The non-resistant cells are killed, leaving only the resistant cells. When the resistant cells are regrown, all of the cells in the culture will be resistant. The other possibility is that there may be persister cells (dormant, not resistant) present (B). The non-persister cells are killed, leaving only the persister cells. When the persister cells are regrown, those cells not in a dormant state will still be susceptible to the antimicrobial agent.

Figure 2.. General antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.

Figure 3.. General structure of main efflux pump families.