Biomaterial Database

[Mechanisms underlying resistance of the bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections]. 1998

J L Mainardi, and L Gutmann

Laboratoire de Microbiologie Médicale, Fondation Hôpital Saint-Joseph, Paris, France.

Resistance of nosocomial bacteria to antimicrobials is due to both natural and acquired factors. Production of inactivating enzymes (beta-lactamases, aminoglycoside detoxifying enzymes) is the most common mechanism in Gram-negative bacteria. The concomitant presence of other mechanisms such as abnormalities in the targets (for fluoroquinolones), permeability, or efflux of antimicrobials, explains why many nosocomial strains are resistant to multiple drugs. In Gram-positive bacteria, the main mechanism involves modifications in the bacterial targets of antimicrobials; for instance, changes in penicillin-binding proteins lead to penicillin resistance in enterococci and to methicillin resistance in staphylococci, whereas changes in peptidoglycans result in glycopeptide resistance in enterococci. As is the case for Gram-negative bacteria, the concomitant presence of other mechanisms is common, and as a result many nosocomial strains are multiresistant.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011549	Pseudomonas	A genus of gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria widely distributed in nature. Some species are pathogenic for humans, animals, and plants.	Chryseomonas,Pseudomona,Flavimonas
D003428	Cross Infection	Any infection which a patient contracts in a health-care institution.	Hospital Infections,Nosocomial Infections,Health Care Associated Infection,Health Care Associated Infections,Healthcare Associated Infections,Infection, Cross,Infections, Hospital,Infections, Nosocomial,Cross Infections,Healthcare Associated Infection,Hospital Infection,Infection, Healthcare Associated,Infection, Hospital,Infection, Nosocomial,Infections, Cross,Infections, Healthcare Associated,Nosocomial Infection
D004352	Drug Resistance, Microbial	The ability of microorganisms, especially bacteria, to resist or to become tolerant to chemotherapeutic agents, antimicrobial agents, or antibiotics. This resistance may be acquired through gene mutation or foreign DNA in transmissible plasmids (R FACTORS).	Antibiotic Resistance,Antibiotic Resistance, Microbial,Antimicrobial Resistance, Drug,Antimicrobial Drug Resistance,Antimicrobial Drug Resistances,Antimicrobial Resistances, Drug,Drug Antimicrobial Resistance,Drug Antimicrobial Resistances,Drug Resistances, Microbial,Resistance, Antibiotic,Resistance, Drug Antimicrobial,Resistances, Drug Antimicrobial
D006090	Gram-Negative Bacteria	Bacteria which lose crystal violet stain but are stained pink when treated by Gram's method.	Gram Negative Bacteria
D006094	Gram-Positive Bacteria	Bacteria which retain the crystal violet stain when treated by Gram's method.	Gram Positive Bacteria
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000150	Acinetobacter	A genus of gram-negative bacteria of the family MORAXELLACEAE, found in soil and water and of uncertain pathogenicity.	Herellea,Mima
D001420	Bacteria, Aerobic	Bacteria which require oxygen in order to grow and survive.	Aerobic Bacteria
D013210	Staphylococcus	A genus of gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, coccoid bacteria. Its organisms occur singly, in pairs, and in tetrads and characteristically divide in more than one plane to form irregular clusters. Natural populations of Staphylococcus are found on the skin and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. Some species are opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals.