Mechanism and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
A section of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382).
Section Information
Because of the continued process of evolution and natural selection with antimicrobials, bacterial pathogens are gaining the edge over human ingenuity and our collective ability to produce new antimicrobials and utilize existing antimicrobials wisely. While mechanisms of bacterial antibiotic resistance vary in their mechanics and genetic underpinnings, all mechanisms of resistance essentially disallow antimicrobials from reaching their specific target or targets. Over the past 80 years, scientists from around the world have identified numerous mutations and genes that mediate antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The ability of antibiotics to select for bacterial mutants has revealed the degree to which mutations in bacterial genomes can alter metabolic functions and yet still support resistance expression. In addition to becoming resistant to antibiotics given systemically to patients to cure serious bacterial infections, bacterial pathogens can also demonstrate reduced susceptibility or tolerance to “multitargeting” antimicrobials such as disinfectants, antiseptics, and biocides (e.g., alcohols, essential oils, triclosan). If fact, all bacteria demonstrate a level of susceptibility to numerous antimicrobials, and certain bacterial pathogens can express “intrinsic resistance” to certain antimicrobials, which can be supported solely by their own evolved genome complement (e.g., genes encoding the outer membrane, toxin–antitoxin systems, or multidrug efflux pumps). In fact, it is now known that many intrinsic gene products are required for clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance mutations or genes to function. New knowledge on how bacteria become resistant or demonstrate reduced susceptibility to antimicrobials allows researchers to identify targets for the development of new antimicrobials.
The Section “Mechanism and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance” seeks any and all manuscripts that describe intrinsic and horizontally transmitted genes, mutations, and mechanisms that bacteria evolve and/or utilize to remain viable during and following clinical or laboratory antimicrobial challenges. These mechanisms include the contributions of genes and mutations that support persistence, tolerance, biofilm production, and reduced susceptibility. Since we are now deep into the “omics” era, manuscripts with data from omics “fishing trips” that describe the bacterial response to antimicrobials are also sought after. Authors are also encouraged to submit molecular epidemiology projects that follow the evolution of existing antimicrobial-resistant determinants of all varieties or that contribute to our knowledge of antimicrobial resistance gene reservoirs.
Editorial Board
Topical Advisory Panel
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Antibiotics Resistance and Molecular Epidemiology of Carbapenem-Resistance Bacteria (Deadline: 30 April 2024)
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Environmental Reservoirs of Pathogenic and Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria (Deadline: 30 April 2024)
- Genomic Analysis of Antibiotics Resistance in Pathogens, 2nd Edition (Deadline: 30 April 2024)
- The Evolution of Plasmid-Mediated Antimicrobial Resistance (Deadline: 20 May 2024)
- Antibiotics Resistance in Animals and the Environment (Deadline: 31 May 2024)
- Editorial Board Members' Collection Series: Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms and Molecular Epidemiology of ESKAPEE (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Epidemiology, Virulence Factors and Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Genomic Insights into Antimicrobial Resistance in Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- The Emergence of Multidrug Resistance: Genetic Mechanisms, Fitness Cost, and Dissemination in the Human-Environment Continuum (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Molecular Detection, Pathogenesis, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mechanisms of Mycoplasma Isolates (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- The Hidden Pandemic: Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms and Evolution in ESKAPE Pathogens (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Genomic Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance and Evolution Mechanism of Bacteria (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Microbial Resistance to Carbapenems: Epidemiology, Detection and Treatment Options (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Staphylococcus— Molecular Pathogenesis, Virulence Regulation and Antibiotics Resistance (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Metagenomics for Surveillance of Pathogens and/or Antimicrobial Resistance (Deadline: 10 July 2024)
- Streptococcus: Biology, Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Evolution (Deadline: 30 July 2024)
- Antibiotic Resistance in Antibiotic Producers and Other Bacteria: Genes, Mechanisms, Evolution, and Surveillance (Deadline: 31 July 2024)
- Epidemiology and Characterization of Bacteria Isolated from Hospital (Deadline: 31 July 2024)
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Environmental Health, 2nd Volume (Deadline: 1 August 2024)
- Advances in Plasmid Mediated Antimicrobial Resistance (Deadline: 15 August 2024)
- Antimicrobial Resistance Genes: Spread and Evolution (Deadline: 20 August 2024)
- Epidemiology of Clinically Relevant Bacteria and Antimicrobial Resistance (Deadline: 31 August 2024)
- Distribution, Sources and Risks of Bacteria and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in the Environment (Deadline: 15 October 2024)
- Plasmid-Borne Antibiotic Resistance Genes (Deadline: 15 October 2024)
- Molecular Methods for Rapid Identification, Antimicrobial Resistance and Management of Infections Caused by Mycobacteria (Deadline: 31 October 2024)
- Antibiotic Resistance and Coping Strategies of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Species (Deadline: 31 October 2024)
- Epidemiological Data on Antibiotic Resistance (Deadline: 30 November 2024)
- Molecular Evolution and Pathogenicity of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 2nd Edition (Deadline: 31 December 2024)