Journal article
Antibiotics and the resistant microbiome
Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark1
Center for Systems Microbiology, Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark2
Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark3
Bacterial Cell Factories, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark4
CFB - Core Flow, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark5
Washington University St. Louis6
Since the discovery and clinical application of antibiotics, pathogens and the human microbiota have faced a near continuous exposure to these selective agents. A well-established consequence of this exposure is the evolution of multidrug-resistant pathogens, which can become virtually untreatable. Less appreciated are the concomitant changes in the human microbiome in response to these assaults and their contribution to clinical resistance problems.
Studies have shown that pervasive changes to the human microbiota result from antibiotic treatment and that resistant strains can persist for years. Additionally, culture-independent functional characterization of the resistance genes from the microbiome has demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship between resistance genes in the microbiome and in pathogens.
Application of these techniques and novel cultivation methods are expected to significantly expand our understanding of the interplay between antibiotics and the microbiome.
Language: | English |
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Year: | 2011 |
Pages: | 556-563 |
ISSN: | 18790364 and 13695274 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.mib.2011.07.005 |
ORCIDs: | Sommer, Morten |