title: Mechanisms of resistance to quinolones: target alterations, decreased accumulation and DNA gyrase protection.
abstract: Quinolones are broad-spectrum antibacterial agents, commonly used in both clinical and veterinary medicine. Their extensive use has resulted in bacteria rapidly developing resistance to these agents. Two mechanisms of quinolone resistance have been established to date: alterations in the targets of quinolones, and decreased accumulation due to impermeability of the membrane and/or an overexpression of efflux pump systems. Recently, mobile elements have also been described, carrying the qnr gene, which confers resistance to quinolones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Institut Clínic Infeccions i Immunologia, Hospital Clínic, C/.Villarroel 170, 08036-Barcelona, Spain. joruiz@clinic.ub.es
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015363:Quinolones / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015363:Quinolones; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors