Antibacterial resistance mechanisms

Table 1 Examples of action and resistance mechanisms found in bacteria for different classes of antibacterial agents ...

As mentioned in the Introduction, bacterial resistance to currently used antibacterial agents poses a major threat to their continued effectiveness [2]. Interestingly, a number of enzymes are involved in the development of antibacterial resistance via several mechanisms. For example, there are enzymes that catalyze the inactivation of antibacterial agents [47], 3-Lactamases are the best-known examples of this class of enzymes and have been studied extensively as targets for new inhibitors that are used in combination with 3-lactams to prevent their inactivation [48], Several [3-lactamase inhibitors have been developed and are used in combination with [3-lactams (e.g., amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazo-bactam, and others) [49,50],... 

A knowledge of the site and action of antibacterial agents is important in understanding at least some of the resistance mechanisms presented by bacteria. 

---