Antibiotic resistance mechanisms of Vibrio cholerae.
As the causative agent of cholera, the bacterium Vibrio cholerae represents an enormous public health burden, especially in developing countries around the world. Cholera is a self-limiting illness; however, antibiotics are commonly administered as part of the treatment regimen. Here we review the initial identification and subsequent evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains of V. cholerae. Antibiotic resistance mechanisms, including efflux pumps, spontaneous chromosomal mutation, conjugative plasmids, SXT elements and integrons, are also discussed. Numerous multidrug-resistant strains of V. cholerae have been isolated from both clinical and environmental settings, indicating that antibiotic use has to be restricted and alternative methods for treating cholera have to be implemented.
Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Maya
M
Kitaoka
Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Sarah T
ST
Miyata
Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Daniel
D
Unterweger
Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Stefan
S
Pukatzki
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D032023:Integrons; D009154:Mutation; D010957:Plasmids; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents