Genetic Factors That Contribute to Antibiotic Resistance through Intrinsic and Acquired Bacterial Genes in Urinary Tract Infections

The overprescribing and misuse of antibiotics have led to the rapid development of multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as those that cause UTIs. UTIs are the most common outpatient infections and are mainly caused by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., although some Gram-positive bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, have been isolated in many cases. The rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a major public health concern, as it is predicted to lead to increased healthcare costs and poor patient outcomes and is expected to be the leading cause of global mortality by 2050. Antibiotic resistance among bacterial species can arise from a myriad of factors, including intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms, as well as mobile genetic elements, such as transposons, integrons, and plasmids. Plasmid-mediated resistance is of major concern as drug-resistance genes can quickly and efficiently spread across bacterial species via horizontal gene transfer. The emergence of extended-spectrum & beta;-lactamases (ESBLs) such as NDM-1, OXA, KPC, and CTX-M family members has conferred resistance to many commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of UTIs, including penicillins, carbapenems, cephalosporins, and sulfamethoxazole. This review will focus on plasmid-mediated bacterial genes, especially those that encode ESBLs, and how they contribute to antibiotic resistance. Early clinical detection of these genes in patient samples will provide better treatment options and reduce the threat of antibiotic resistance.

Automated summary

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the rapid development of multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly those that cause UTIs. This rise in antimicrobial resistance has become a major global health concern, with predictions of increased healthcare costs and poor patient outcomes. Resistance among bacterial species can arise from various factors, including plasmid-mediated genes that can spread rapidly via horizontal gene transfer. This review will focus on plasmid-mediated bacterial genes, especially ESBLs, and their contribution to antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the importance of early clinical detection for better treatment options and reducing the threat of resistance.