Evolution of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in the Clinical Context

2018/07/23 by Alvaro San Millan, Álvaro San Millán · 4 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria #Evolution and Genetic Dynamics #Gut microbiota and health

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.tim.2018.06.007

openalex publication_date 2018/07/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant infections are an urgent problem in clinical settings because they sharply increase mortality risk in critically ill patients. The horizontal spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria is driven by bacterial plasmids, promoting the evolution of resistance. Crucially, particular associations exist between resistance plasmids and bacterial clones that become especially successful in clinical settings. However, the factors underlying the success of these associations remain unknown. Recent in vitro evidence reveals (i) that plasmids produce fitness costs in bacteria, and (ii) that these costs are alleviated over time through compensatory mutations. I argue that plasmid-imposed costs and subsequent compensatory adaptation may determine the success of associations between plasmids and bacteria in clinical settings, shaping the in vivo evolution of antibiotic resistance.

Citations

• Human intestinal bacteria as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes
• Cell Genetics and Hereditary Symbiosis
• Are We Really Vastly Outnumbered? Revisiting the Ratio of Bacterial to Host Cells in Humans
• Plasmids carrying antimicrobial resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae

Cited by

• Horizontal Gene Transfer and Genome Rearrangements Shape Bacterial Adaptation for Bioremediation
• Plasmid dynamics driving carbapenemase gene dissemination in healthcare environments: a nationwide analysis of closed Enterobacterales genomes
• Assessing the threat of Yersinia pestis harboring a multi-resistant IncC plasmid and the efficacy of an antibiotic targeting LpxC
• <p>Antimicrobial Resistance: Implications and Costs</p>

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• Combining mutation and horizontal gene transfer in a within-host model of antibiotic resistance