Mutations antibiotic resistance genes

Plasmids have the ability to transfer within and between species and can therefore be acquired from other bacteria as well as a consequence of cell division. This property makes plasmid-acquired resistance much more threatening in terms ofthe spread of antibiotic resistance than resistance acquired due to chromosomal mutation. Plasmids also harbour transposons (section 2.1.3), which enhances their ability to transfer antibiotic resistance genes. 

Over 4 decades, between 1960 and 2000, the development of new antibiotics used well characterized basic structures for partial synthetic modifications, primarily to overcome resistance by increasing the pharmacodynamic properties and, secondarily, to improve the pharmacokinetic profile of older compounds. However, bacteria rapidly responded by acquiring additional genetic alterations either as mutations or by accumulating resistance genes as part of mobile genetic elements ( integrons) on transferable resistance plasmids. 

Acquired resistance. This occurs when bacteria which were previously susceptible become resistant, usually, but not always, after exposure to the antibiotic concerned. Intrirrsic resistance is always chromosomally mediated, whereas acquired resistance may occirr by mutations in the chromosome or by the acquisition of genes coding for resistance ftom an external source normally via a plasmid or transposon. Both types are clinically important and can result in treatment failure, although acquired resistance is more of a threat in the spread of antibiotic resistance (Russell Chopra 1996). 

Resistance to certain antibiotics can arise as a consequence of mutations to chromosomal genes because of changes in the DNA sequence. Mutations can occin due to single base pair changes. Transitions involve the substitution of one purine (A or G) for another and therefore one pyrimidine (C or T) for another. Transversions involve a change from a pyrimidine to a purine and vice versa. Frameshift mutations occin when one or... 

Table 10. Genes affected by point mutations or other genetic events leading to antibiotic resistance in II. pylori and the frequency of resistance (from Megraud and Lamouliatte [166])...

Murray BE, Hodel-Christian SL Bacterial resistance Theoretical and practical considerations, mutations to antibiotic resistance, characterization of R plasmid, and detection of plasmid-specific genes in Lorian V (ed) Antibiotics in Laboratory Medicine, ed 4. Baltimore, Williams Wilkins, 1996. 

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