# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 9574 | 0 | 1.0000 | Treatment of E. coli Infections with T4-Related Bacteriophages Belonging to Class Caudoviricetes: Selecting Phage on the Basis of Their Generalized Transduction Capability. The problem of the multidrug resistance of pathogenic bacteria is a serious concern, one which only becomes more pressing with every year that passes, motivating scientists to look for new therapeutic agents. In this situation, phage therapy, i.e., the use of phages to combat bacterial infections, is back in the spotlight of research interest. Bacterial viruses are highly strain-specific towards their hosts, which makes them particularly valuable for targeting pathogenic variants amidst non-pathogenic microflora, represented by such commensals of animals and humans as E. coli, S. aureus, etc. However, selecting phages for the treatment of bacterial infections is a complex task. The prospective candidates should meet a number of criteria; in particular, the selected phage must not contain potentially dangerous genes (e.g., antibiotic resistance genes, genes of toxins and virulence factors etc.)-or be capable of transferring them from their hosts. This work introduces a new approach to selecting T4-related coliphages; it allows one to identify strains which may be safer in terms of involvement in the horizontal gene transfer. The approach is based on the search for genes that reduce the frequency of genetic transduction. | 2025 | 40431712 |
| 4072 | 1 | 0.9999 | A horizontal transmission of genetic information and its importance for development of antibiotics resistance. Genetic information is transmitted among organisms through two pathways - vertically from generation to generation (from parents to progeny) and horizontally (laterally) by direct exchange of genetic material across species barriers. These are primarily prokaryotes, in which the exchange of genes or whole gene segments by horizontal transmission is quite common. They can dynamically and in a relatively short time generate highly diverse genomes, which does not allow the vertical transmission. As a result, prokaryotes can rapidly acquire new properties such as virulence and pathogenicity as well as resistance to toxins, including antibiotics, by which they increase their adaptability. Therefore, reinfection-resistant microorganisms are always more difficult to treat than infections caused by non-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance today is a global problem of health care service. Not only does the number of diseases caused by resistant pathogenic strains of bacteria increase, but also the cost of treatment increases disproportionately, the length of hospitalization is prolonged, and mortality is often rising. Therefore, when indicating antibiotic therapy, it is important to keep in mind that both overuse and abuse of antibiotics contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. This is equally true for antibiotic applications in veterinary medicine, agriculture, including aquacultures, or in the food industry. Keywords: horizontal transmission of genetic information, endosymbiosis, antibiotic resistance, risks of the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, prevention of antibiotic resistance. | 2018 | 30441943 |
| 9683 | 2 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial resistance and virulence: a successful or deleterious association in the bacterial world? Hosts and bacteria have coevolved over millions of years, during which pathogenic bacteria have modified their virulence mechanisms to adapt to host defense systems. Although the spread of pathogens has been hindered by the discovery and widespread use of antimicrobial agents, antimicrobial resistance has increased globally. The emergence of resistant bacteria has accelerated in recent years, mainly as a result of increased selective pressure. However, although antimicrobial resistance and bacterial virulence have developed on different timescales, they share some common characteristics. This review considers how bacterial virulence and fitness are affected by antibiotic resistance and also how the relationship between virulence and resistance is affected by different genetic mechanisms (e.g., coselection and compensatory mutations) and by the most prevalent global responses. The interplay between these factors and the associated biological costs depend on four main factors: the bacterial species involved, virulence and resistance mechanisms, the ecological niche, and the host. The development of new strategies involving new antimicrobials or nonantimicrobial compounds and of novel diagnostic methods that focus on high-risk clones and rapid tests to detect virulence markers may help to resolve the increasing problem of the association between virulence and resistance, which is becoming more beneficial for pathogenic bacteria. | 2013 | 23554414 |
| 9452 | 3 | 0.9998 | Bacteriophages in the Control of Aeromonas sp. in Aquaculture Systems: An Integrative View. Aeromonas species often cause disease in farmed fish and are responsible for causing significant economic losses worldwide. Although vaccination is the ideal method to prevent infectious diseases, there are still very few vaccines commercially available in the aquaculture field. Currently, aquaculture production relies heavily on antibiotics, contributing to the global issue of the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and resistance genes. Therefore, it is essential to develop effective alternatives to antibiotics to reduce their use in aquaculture systems. Bacteriophage (or phage) therapy is a promising approach to control pathogenic bacteria in farmed fish that requires a heavy understanding of certain factors such as the selection of phages, the multiplicity of infection that produces the best bacterial inactivation, bacterial resistance, safety, the host's immune response, administration route, phage stability and influence. This review focuses on the need to advance phage therapy research in aquaculture, its efficiency as an antimicrobial strategy and the critical aspects to successfully apply this therapy to control Aeromonas infection in fish. | 2022 | 35203766 |
| 4061 | 4 | 0.9998 | Beyond serial passages: new methods for predicting the emergence of resistance to novel antibiotics. Market launching of a new antibiotic requires knowing in advance its benefits and possible risks, and among them how rapidly resistance will emerge and spread among bacterial pathogens. This information is not only useful from a public health point of view, but also for pharmaceutical industry, in order to reduce potential waste of resources in the development of a compound that might be discontinued at the short term because of resistance development. Most assays currently used for predicting the emergence of resistance are based on culturing the target bacteria by serial passages in the presence of increasing concentrations of antibiotics. Whereas these assays may be valuable for identifying mutations that might cause resistance, they are not useful to establish how fast resistance might appear, neither to address the risk of spread of resistance genes by horizontal gene transfer. In this article, we review recent information pertinent for a more accurate prediction on the emergence and dispersal of antibiotic resistance. | 2011 | 21835695 |
| 4118 | 5 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial resistance in livestock. Antimicrobial resistance may become a major problem in veterinary medicine as a consequence of the intensive use and misuse of antimicrobial drugs. Related problems are now arising in human medicine, such as the appearance of multi-resistant food-borne pathogens. Product characteristics, dose, treatment interval and duration of treatment influence the selection pressure for antimicrobial drug resistance. There are theoretical, experimental and clinical indications that the emergence of de novo resistance in a pathogenic population can be prevented by minimizing the time that suboptimal drug levels are present in the infected tissue compartment. Until recently, attention has been focused on target pathogens. However, it should be kept in mind that when antimicrobial drugs are used in an individual, resistance selection mainly affects the normal body flora. In the long term, this is at least equally important as resistance selection in the target pathogens, as the horizontal transfer of resistance genes converts almost all pathogenic bacteria into potential recipients for antimicrobial resistance. Other factors contributing to the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance are the localization and size of the microbial population, and the age, immunity and contact intensity of the host. In livestock, dynamic herd-related resistance patterns have been observed in different animal species. | 2003 | 12667177 |
| 9682 | 6 | 0.9998 | Effect of Probiotics on Host-Microbiota in Bacterial Infections. Diseases caused by bacteria cause millions of deaths every year. In addition, the problem of resistance to antibiotics is so serious that it threatens the achievements of modern medicine. This is a very important global problem as some bacteria can also develop persistence. Indeed, the persistence of pathogenic bacteria has evolved as a potent survival strategy to overcome host organisms' defense mechanisms. Additionally, chronic or persistent infections may be caused by persisters which could facilitate antibiotic resistance. Probiotics are considered good bacteria. It has been described that the modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics could have a great potential to counteract the deleterious impact and/or regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection. Probiotics might provide health benefits through the inhibition of pathogen growth or the replacement of pathogenic bacteria. Bearing in mind that current strategies to avoid bacterial persistence and prevent antibiotic resistance are not effective, other strategies need to be assessed. We have carried out a comprehensive review, which included the reported literature between 2016 and 2021, highlighting the clinical trials that reported the probiotics' potential to regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection and focusing in particular on the context of antibiotic resistance and persister cells. | 2022 | 36145418 |
| 4329 | 7 | 0.9998 | Bacterial resistance: new threats, new challenges. Bacterial resistance remains a major concern. Recently, genetic transfers from saprophytic, non-pathogenic, species to pathogenic S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis have introduced multiple changes in the penicillin target molecules, leading to rapidly growing penicillin resistance. In enterobacteriaceae, a succession of minute mutations has generated new beta-lactamases with increasingly expanded spectrum, now covering practically all available beta-lactam antibiotics. Resistance emerges in the hospital environment but also, and increasingly, in the community bacteria. Widespread resistance is probably associated with antibiotic use, abuse and misuse but direct causality links are difficult to establish. In some countries as in some hospitals, unusual resistance profiles seem to correspond to unusual antibiotic practices. For meeting the resistance challenge, no simple solutions are available, but combined efforts may help. For improving the situation, the following methods can be proposed. At the world level, a better definition of appropriate antibiotic policies should be sought, together with strong education programmes on the use of antibiotics and the control of cross-infections, plus controls on the strategies used by pharmaceutical companies for promoting antibiotics. At various local levels, accurate guidelines should be adapted to each institution and there should be regularly updated formularies using scientific, and not only economic, criteria; molecular technologies for detecting subtle epidemic variations and emergence of new genes should be developed and regular information on the resistance profiles should be available to all physicians involved in the prevention and therapy of infections. | 1993 | 8149138 |
| 9438 | 8 | 0.9998 | The challenge of antibiotic resistance: need to contemplate. "Survival of the fittest " holds good for men and animals as also for bacteria. A majority of bacteria in nature are nonpathogenic, a large number of them, live as commensals on our body leading a symbiotic existence. A limited population of bacteria which has became pathogenic was also sensitive to antibiotics to begin with. It is the man made antibiotic pressure, which has led to the emergence and spread of resistant genes amongst bacteria. Despite the availability of a large arsenal of antibiotics, the ability of bacteria to become resistant to antibacterial agents is amazing. This is more evident in the hospital settings where the antibiotic usage is maximum. The use of antibiotics is widespread in clinical medicine, agriculture, aquaculture, veterinary practice, poultry and even in household products. The major reason for this is the inappropriate use of antibiotics due to a lack of uniform policy and disregard to hospital infection control practices. The antibiotic cover provided by newer antibiotics has been an important factor responsible for the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Bacterial infections increase the morbidity and mortality, increase the cost of treatment, and prolong hospital stay adding to the economical burden on the nation. The problem is further compounded by the lack of education and " over the counter " availability of antibiotics in developing countries. Antibiotic resistance is now all pervasive with the developed world as much vulnerable to the problem. Despite advancement in medical technology for diagnosis and patient care, a person can still die of an infection caused by a multi-drug resistant bacteria. It is time to think, plan and formulate a strong antibiotic policy to address the burgeoning hospital infection. | 2005 | 15756040 |
| 4069 | 9 | 0.9998 | Coming from the Wild: Multidrug Resistant Opportunistic Pathogens Presenting a Primary, Not Human-Linked, Environmental Habitat. The use and misuse of antibiotics have made antibiotic-resistant bacteria widespread nowadays, constituting one of the most relevant challenges for human health at present. Among these bacteria, opportunistic pathogens with an environmental, non-clinical, primary habitat stand as an increasing matter of concern at hospitals. These organisms usually present low susceptibility to antibiotics currently used for therapy. They are also proficient in acquiring increased resistance levels, a situation that limits the therapeutic options for treating the infections they cause. In this article, we analyse the most predominant opportunistic pathogens with an environmental origin, focusing on the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance they present. Further, we discuss the functions, beyond antibiotic resistance, that these determinants may have in the natural ecosystems that these bacteria usually colonize. Given the capacity of these organisms for colonizing different habitats, from clinical settings to natural environments, and for infecting different hosts, from plants to humans, deciphering their population structure, their mechanisms of resistance and the role that these mechanisms may play in natural ecosystems is of relevance for understanding the dissemination of antibiotic resistance under a One-Health point of view. | 2021 | 34360847 |
| 4267 | 10 | 0.9998 | Relationship between Virulence and Resistance among Gram-Negative Bacteria. Bacteria present in the human body are innocuous, providing beneficial functions, some of which are necessary for correct body function. However, other bacteria are able to colonize, invade, and cause damage to different tissues, and these are categorised as pathogens. These pathogenic bacteria possess several factors that enable them to be more virulent and cause infection. Bacteria have a great capacity to adapt to different niches and environmental conditions (presence of antibiotics, iron depletion, etc.). Antibiotic pressure has favoured the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria worldwide. Several studies have reported the presence of a relationship (both positive and negative, and both direct and indirect) between antimicrobial resistance and virulence among bacterial pathogens. This review studies the relationship among the most important Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) taking into account two points of view: (i) the effect the acquisition of resistance has on virulence, and (ii) co-selection of resistance and virulence. The relationship between resistance and virulence among bacteria depends on the bacterial species, the specific mechanisms of resistance and virulence, the ecological niche, and the host. | 2020 | 33092201 |
| 4058 | 11 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial resistance: a complex issue. The discovery of antibiotics represented a turning point in human history. However, by the late 1950s infections that were difficult to treat, involving resistant bacteria, were being reported. Nowadays, multiresistant strains have become a major concern for public and animal health. Antimicrobial resistance is a complex issue, linked to the ability of bacteria to adapt quickly to their environment. Antibiotics, and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and determinants, existed before the discovery and use of antibiotics by humans. Resistance to antimicrobial agents is a tool that allows bacteria to survive in the environment, and to develop. Resistance genes can be transferred between bacteria by horizontal transfer involving three mechanisms: conjugation, transduction and transformation. Resistant bacteria can emerge in any location when the appropriate conditions develop. Antibiotics represent a powerful selector for antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. Reducing the use of antimicrobial drugs is one way to control antimicrobial resistance; however, a full set of measures needs to be implemented to achieve this aim. | 2012 | 22849265 |
| 9569 | 12 | 0.9998 | The global epidemic nature of antimicrobial resistance and the need to monitor and manage it locally. An antimicrobial agent may be used for years before a gene expressing resistance to it emerges in a strain of bacteria somewhere. Progeny of that strain, or of others to which the gene is transferred, may then disseminate preferentially through global networks of bacterial populations on people or animals treated with that agent or with other agents as the gene becomes linked to genes expressing resistance to them. Over 100 resistance genes-varying in their frequency of emergence, vectors, linkages, and pathways-have thus emerged, reemerged, converged, and disseminated irregularly through the world's bacterial ecosystems over the last 60 years to reach infecting strains and block treatment of infection. We may delay emergence by using agents less and retard dissemination by good hygiene, infection control measures, and avoidance of agents that select for resistance genes in contiguous populations. Local monitoring and management of resistance appear essential because of the intricacies of tracing and targeting the problems at each place and because national or global surveillance and strategy develop from local information and understanding. | 1997 | 8994775 |
| 4266 | 13 | 0.9998 | Novel Bacteriophages Capable of Disrupting Biofilms From Clinical Strains of Aeromonas hydrophila. The increase in global warming has favored growth of a range of opportunistic environmental bacteria and allowed some of these to become more pathogenic to humans. Aeromonas hydrophila is one such organism. Surviving in moist conditions in temperate climates, these bacteria have been associated with a range of diseases in humans, and in systemic infections can cause mortality in up to 46% of cases. Their capacity to form biofilms, carry antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and survive disinfection, has meant that they are not easily treated with traditional methods. Bacteriophage offer a possible alternative approach for controlling their growth. This study is the first to report the isolation and characterization of bacteriophages lytic against clinical strains of A. hydrophila which carry intrinsic antibiotic resistance genes. Functionally, these novel bacteriophages were shown to be capable of disrupting biofilms caused by clinical isolates of A. hydrophila. The potential exists for these to be tested in clinical and environmental settings. | 2020 | 32117183 |
| 9439 | 14 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial resistance, mechanisms and its clinical significance. Antimicrobial agents play a key role in controlling and curing infectious disease. Soon after the discovery of the first antibiotic, the challenge of antibiotic resistance commenced. Antimicrobial agents use different mechanisms against bacteria to prevent their pathogenesis and they can be classified as bactericidal or bacteriostatic. Antibiotics are one of the antimicrobial agents which has several classes, each with different targets. Consequently, bacteria are endlessly using methods to overcome the effectivity of the antibiotics by using distinct types of mechanisms. Comprehending the mechanisms of resistance is vital for better understanding and to continue use of current antibiotics. Which also helps to formulate synthetic antimicrobials to overcome the current mechanism of resistance. Also, encourage in prudent use and misuse of antimicrobial agents. Thus, decline in treatment costs and in the rate of morbidity and mortality. This review will be concentrating on the mechanism of actions of several antibiotics and how bacteria develop resistance to them, as well as the method of acquiring the resistance in several bacteria and how can a strain be resistant to several types of antibiotics. This review also analyzes the prevalence, major clinical implications, clinical causes of antibiotic resistance. Further, it evaluates the global burden of antimicrobial resistance, identifies various challenges and strategies in addressing the issue. Finally, put forward certain recommendations to prevent the spread and reduce the rate of resistance growth. | 2020 | 32201008 |
| 4060 | 15 | 0.9998 | Current status of antibiotic resistance in animal production. It is generally accepted that the more antibiotics we use, the faster bacteria will develop resistance. Further it has been more or less accepted that once an antibiotic is withdrawn from the clinic, the resistance genes will eventually disappear, [table: see text] since they will no more be of any survival value for the bacterial cell. However, recent research has shown that after a long time period of exposure to antibiotics, certain bacterial species may adapt to this environment in such a way that they keep their resistance genes stably also after the removal of antibiotics. Thus, there is reason to believe that once resistance has developed it will not even in the long term be eradicated. What then can we do not to increase further the already high level of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals? We should of course encourage a prudent use of these valuable drugs. In Sweden antibiotics are not used for growth promoting purposes and are available only after veterinary prescription on strict indications. Generally, antimicrobial treatment of animals on individual or on herd basis should not be considered unless in connection with relevant diagnostics. The amounts of antibiotics used and the development of resistance in important pathogens should be closely monitored. Furthermore, resistance monitoring in certain non-pathogenic intestinal bacteria, which may serve as a reservoir for resistance genes is probably more important than hitherto anticipated. Once the usage of or resistance to a certain antibiotic seems to increase in an alarming way, steps should be taken to limit the usage of the drug in order to prevent further spread of resistance genes in animals, humans and the environment. Better methods for detecting and quantifying antibiotic resistance have to be developed. Screening methods must be standardized and evaluated in order to obtain comparable and reliable results from different countries. The genetic mechanisms for development of resistance and spread of resistance genes should be studied in detail. Research in these areas will lead to new ideas on how to inhibit the resistance mechanisms. So far, it has been well established that a heavy antimicrobial drug selective pressure in overcrowded populations of production animals creates favourable environments both for the emergence and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. | 1999 | 10783714 |
| 9431 | 16 | 0.9998 | Biofilms and antimicrobial resistance. The pathogenesis of many orthopaedic infections is related to the presence of microorganisms in biofilms. I examine the emerging understanding of the mechanisms of biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance. Biofilm-associated resistance to antimicrobial agents begins at the attachment phase and increases as the biofilm ages. A variety of reasons for the increased antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms in biofilms have been postulated and investigated. Although bacteria in biofilms are surrounded by an extracellular matrix that might physically restrict the diffusion of antimicrobial agents, this does not seem to be a predominant mechanism of biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance. Nutrient and oxygen depletion within the biofilm cause some bacteria to enter a nongrowing (ie, stationary) state, in which they are less susceptible to growth-dependent antimicrobial killing. A subpopulation of bacteria might differentiate into a phenotypically resistant state. Finally, some organisms in biofilms have been shown to express biofilm-specific antimicrobial resistance genes that are not required for biofilm formation. Overall, the mechanism of biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance seems to be multifactorial and may vary from organism to organism. Techniques that address biofilm susceptibility testing to antimicrobial agents may be necessary before antimicrobial regimens for orthopaedic prosthetic device-associated infections can be appropriately defined in research and clinical settings. Finally, a variety of approaches are being defined to overcome biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance. | 2005 | 16056024 |
| 9685 | 17 | 0.9998 | Biofilm: A Hotspot for Emerging Bacterial Genotypes. Bacteria have the ability to adapt to changing environments through rapid evolution mediated by modification of existing genetic information, as well as by horizontal gene transfer (HGT). This makes bacteria a highly successful life form when it comes to survival. Unfortunately, this genetic plasticity may result in emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes, and even the creation of multiresistant "superbugs" which may pose serious threats to public health. As bacteria commonly reside in biofilms, there has been an increased interest in studying these phenomena within biofilms in recent years. This review summarizes the present knowledge within this important area of research. Studies on bacterial evolution in biofilms have shown that mature biofilms develop into diverse communities over time. There is growing evidence that the biofilm lifestyle may be more mutagenic than planktonic growth. Furthermore, all three main mechanisms for HGT have been observed in biofilms. This has been shown to occur both within and between bacterial species, and higher transfer rates in biofilms than in planktonic cultures were detected. Of special concern are the observations that mutants with increased antibiotic resistance occur at higher frequency in biofilms than in planktonic cultures even in the absence of antibiotic exposure. Likewise, efficient dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes, as well as virulence genes, has been observed within the biofilm environment. This new knowledge emphasizes the importance of biofilm awareness and control. | 2018 | 29914658 |
| 4245 | 18 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria: Mechanisms, Evolution, and Persistence. In recent years, we have seen antimicrobial resistance rapidly emerge at a global scale and spread from one country to the other faster than previously thought. Superbugs and multidrug-resistant bacteria are endemic in many parts of the world. There is no question that the widespread use, overuse, and misuse of antimicrobials during the last 80 years have been associated with the explosion of antimicrobial resistance. On the other hand, the molecular pathways behind the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria were present since ancient times. Some of these mechanisms are the ancestors of current resistance determinants. Evidently, there are plenty of putative resistance genes in the environment, however, we cannot yet predict which ones would be able to be expressed as phenotypes in pathogenic bacteria and cause clinical disease. In addition, in the presence of inhibitory and sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics in natural habitats, one could assume that novel resistance mechanisms will arise against antimicrobial compounds. This review presents an overview of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and describes how these have evolved and how they continue to emerge. As antimicrobial strategies able to bypass the development of resistance are urgently needed, a better understanding of the critical factors that contribute to the persistence and spread of antimicrobial resistance may yield innovative perspectives on the design of such new therapeutic targets. | 2020 | 31659373 |
| 4064 | 19 | 0.9998 | Antimicrobial resistance. The development of antimicrobial drugs, and particularly of antibiotics, has played a considerable role in substantially reducing the morbidity and mortality rates of many infectious diseases. However, the fact that bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics has produced a situation where antimicrobial agents are losing their effectiveness because of the spread and persistence of drug-resistant organisms. To combat this, more and more antibiotics with increased therapeutic and prophylactic action will need to be developed.This article is concerned with antibiotic resistance in bacteria which are pathogenic to man and animals. The historical background is given, as well as some information on the present situation and trends of antibiotic resistance to certain bacteria in different parts of the world. Considerable concern is raised over the use of antibiotics in man and animals. It is stated that antibiotic resistance in human pathogens is widely attributed to the "misuse" of antibiotics for treatment and prophylaxis in man and to the administration of antibiotics to animals for a variety of purposes (growth promotion, prophylaxis, or therapy), leading to the accumulation of resistant bacteria in their flora. Factors favouring the development of resistance are discussed. | 1983 | 6603914 |