Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria: A Review

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change so that antibiotics already killing them can no longer kill or in inhibit their growth. As a result, bacterial infections have become more difficult to treat. Antibiotic resistance limits treatment options, increase morbidity and mortality rates and therefore a treat to the worldwide health system. This study reviews four different mechanisms adopted by bacteria in bringing about resistance. The mechanisms are: (1) Modifications (chemical modification of the drug and drug target alteration); (2) Drug inactivation (enzymatic inactivation of antibiotics); (3) Drug uptake limitation (reduction of the inner and outer membrane permeability); and (4) Drug efflux (active pumps system). It is only when these bacterial resistance mechanisms are well understood that the issue of antibiotic resistance could be properly handled and its menace eradicated, or at least minimized.