title: Genetic basis of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic Acinetobacter species.
abstract: Antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter spp., particularly Acinetobacter baumannii, is increasing rapidly. A. baumannii possesses two intrinsic β-lactamase genes, in addition to weak permeability and efflux systems, that together confer a natural reduced susceptibility to antibiotics. In addition, numerous acquired mechanisms of resistance have been identified in A. baumannii. The very high genetic plasticity of A. baumannii allows an accumulation of resistance determinants that give rise to multidrug resistance at an alarming rate. The role of novel genetic elements, such as resistance islands, in concentrating antibiotic resistance genes in A. baumannii requires detailed investigation in the near future.
authors: Service de Bactériologie-Virologie, Hôpital de Bicêtre, South-Paris Medical School, University Paris XI, INSERM U914, 94275 K.-Bicêtre, France. laurent.poirel@bct.aphp.fr
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Poirel
authors: Rémy A
authors: RA
authors: Bonnin
authors: Patrice
authors: P
authors: Nordmann
mesh_terms: D000151:Acinetobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology; D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D019450:Genes, MDR / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D032023:Integrons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015780:Carbapenems; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D001618:beta-Lactamases