Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in respiratory pathogens

Abstract

Respiratory tract infections are the most frequent indication of antibiotics in outpatient settings, based on empirical data. Clinical treatment failure can be explained by antimicrobial resistance, which has recently increased in respiratory pathogens. Microorganisms develop new antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and virulence is shared by different systems. This phenomenon represents a clinical problem and hampers the handling of infectious diseases. It is therefore necessary to utilize new strategies for the appropriate use of antimicrobials. Respiratory pathogens such as S. pneumoniae and S pyogenes present antimicrobial resistance to beta-lactams by mutations in penicilin binding proteins (PBP); resistance to macrolides is explained by two mechanisms: ribosome methylation and antibiotic export by efflux pumps. H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis express beta-lactam resistance due to enzymatic hydrolysis by b-lactamases.