In: Biology
It is well-known and documented that numerous bacteria have acquired resistance to penicillins by acquiring the gene for beta -lactamase. What has been discovered is that some of these bacteria have developed this resistance without acquiring this gene. Explain at least two mechanisms of which this is possible and how do these bacteria escape the metabolic effects of penicillin?
Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents is not a new
phenomenon; but it is a on going phenomenon in soil microorganisms,
as competitive/survival mechanisms by microorganisms against other
microorganisms.
Therefore, Understanding the mechanisms of resistance is important
in order to define better ways to keep existing agents useful for a
little longer but also to help in the design of better
antimicrobial agents that are not affected by the currently known,
predicted, or unknown mechanisms of resistance.
Gram positive bacteria have a cell wall composed mostly of peptidoglycan, a very rigid substance. This is a prime target of β lactam antimicrobials such as penicillins and cephalosporins. The antimicrobial locks on to the β lactam structure in the cell wall, preventing expansion, and the cell ruptures as it grows.But now it has been shown that there is a decrease in the effect of the antimicrobial used in this process. Here it is penicillin.
Understanding how antimicrobial resistance develops, the principles of horizontal gene transfer, selection for resistance and the interaction between humans, animals and the environment is crucial to developing means of minimising resistance to antimicrobial therapy.