Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Infection and Immunology Division, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India.
Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Infection and Immunology Division, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, India.
Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2022;192(1):1-31. doi: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.07.009. Epub 2022 Sep 3.
The human gastrointestinal tract is home to a complex and dynamic community of microorganisms known as gut microbiota, which provide the host with important metabolic, signaling, and immunomodulatory functions. Both the commensal and pathogenic members of the gut microbiome serve as reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistance genes (ARG), which can cause potential health threats to the host and can transfer the ARGs to the susceptible microbes and into the environment. Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a major burden on human health and is widely recognized as a global challenge. The diversity and abundance of ARGs in the gut microbiome are variable and depend on the exposure to healthcare-associated antibiotics, usage of antibiotics in veterinary and agriculture, and the migration of the population. The transfer frequency of the ARGs through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) with the help of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) like plasmids, transposons, or phages is much higher among bacteria living in the GI tract compared to other microbial ecosystems. HGT in gut bacteria is facilitated through multiple gene transfer mechanisms, including transformation, conjugation, transduction, and vesicle fusion. It is the need of the hour to implement strict policies to limit indiscriminate antibiotic usage when needed. Developing rapid diagnostic tests for resistance determination and alternatives to antibiotics like vaccination, probiotics, and bacteriophage therapy should have the highest priority in the research and development sectors. Collective actions for sustainable development against resistant pathogens by promoting endogenous gut microbial growth and diversity through interdisciplinary research and findings are key to overcoming the current antimicrobial resistance crisis.
人类胃肠道是一个复杂而动态的微生物群落，即肠道微生物群的家园，它们为宿主提供重要的代谢、信号和免疫调节功能。肠道微生物群中的共生体和病原体成员都充当着抗生素耐药基因 (ARG) 的储存库，这些基因可能对宿主造成潜在的健康威胁，并可将 ARGs 转移到易感微生物和环境中。抗生素耐药性正成为人类健康的主要负担，已被广泛认为是一个全球性挑战。肠道微生物群中 ARGs 的多样性和丰度是可变的，取决于接触与医疗保健相关的抗生素、在兽医和农业中使用抗生素以及人口迁移。在 GI 道中生活的细菌通过水平基因转移 (HGT) 借助移动遗传元件 (MGE) 如质粒、转座子或噬菌体，其 ARGs 的转移频率比其他微生物生态系统高得多。肠道细菌中的 HGT 通过多种基因转移机制得到促进，包括转化、 conjugation、转导和囊泡融合。当需要时，实施严格的政策限制滥用抗生素是当务之急。开发用于耐药性测定的快速诊断测试以及抗生素替代品，如疫苗接种、益生菌和噬菌体治疗，应在研究和开发领域中具有最高优先级。通过跨学科研究和发现，促进内源性肠道微生物生长和多样性的可持续发展的集体行动是克服当前抗生素耐药性危机的关键。
