A new study led by scientists at the University of Oxford has found that small DNA molecules known as plasmids are one of the key culprits in spreading the major global health threat of antibiotic resistance. Using a novel experimental model, the international team of researchers show that plasmids, which live inside bacteria and are known to be a vehicle for transferring antibiotic resistance genes, can accelerate the evolution of new forms of resistance - making them more important to the process than previously thought. The study was published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.
Senior author professor Craig MacLean, a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow in Oxford's Department of Zoology, said, "The discovery of antibiotics revolutionized medicine by making it much simpler to treat bacterial infections, and this had a big impact on human health and longevity. For example, the use of penicillin led to a 90 percent decrease in mortality caused by some forms of pneumonia. Unfortunately, few new antibiotics have been discovered over the last 30 years, and resistance to existing antibiotics has spread steadily because antibiotics are used heavily in medicine. This is leading to a crisis in medicine, as we have lost the ability to treat bacterial infections that can have life-threatening consequences."
An influential report from the O'Neill Commission predicts that antibiotic resistance will lead to 10 million deaths per year by 2050, surpassing cancer as a source of human mortality.
MacLean said, "The spread of resistance genes in bacterial populations is driven by simple, Darwinian selection: during antibiotic treatment, bacteria with resistance genes have a higher reproductive rate than sensitive bacteria, and, as a result, the use of antibiotics causes the spread of resistance genes. Many of the most important resistance genes are found on plasmids, which are small, circular DNA molecules that live inside bacteria. Plasmids are capable of moving between bacteria and are usually thought of as being important vehicles that transfer resistance genes between bacteria. Our paper demonstrates that plasmids can also act as evolutionary catalysts that accelerate the evolution of new forms of resistance. This occurs because bacteria usually carry more than one copy of a plasmid, which allows resistance genes carried by plasmids to rapidly evolve new functions - in this case, the ability to degrade an antibiotic. Additionally, plasmids automatically amplify the number of copies of these new and improved resistance genes. These findings demonstrate a new role for plasmids in antibiotic resistance and evolutionary innovation, and they highlight the threat posed by plasmids to public health.'
MacLean added, "The conventional view of plasmids is that they act as important vehicles that transfer resistance genes between bacteria. Our research shows a new role for plasmids in antibiotic resistance by demonstrating that plasmids drive the evolution of novel forms of antibiotic resistance. While this does not offer any solutions per se, it further highlights the importance of developing new methods for tackling plasmids. For example, it may be possible to develop new drugs that will block plasmid replication."
Source: University of Oxford
Dear Helpdesk: Working in a Toxic Health Care Environment
March 28th 2024Dear Helpdesk is your steadfast companion, offering life coaching and workplace advice from 2 seasoned IPs for some of your most challenging real-life situations. Let us help you navigate the intersection between work and life, guiding you to navigate the dynamic world of infection prevention with confidence and grace. This article is on handling a toxic health care environment.
Product Locator: Spring and Early Mother's Day Gift Guide for Infection Prevention Personnel
March 27th 2024Whether it's a spring holiday, birthdays, or no reason at all, infection prevention personnel love to give and receive gifts that help at the end of a stressful day. Infection Control Today® offers some gift ideas for infection prevention personnel and their families.
Catching Up With Vangie Dennis, AORN 2022-2023 President at AORN 2024
March 26th 2024Infection Control Today (ICT) had the privilege of catching up with Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses' (AORN’s) International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024. As the former president of AORN and an esteemed figure in perioperative services, Vangie Dennis shared insights into her recent endeavors and the exciting new chapter she's embarked upon.
How To Optimize Your Time Management Strategies for the Busy Infection Preventionist
March 25th 2024Is your calendar resembling a chaotic masterpiece of overlapping tasks? Join the club of infection preventionists striving to balance responsibilities. Dive into proven strategies from a fellow infection preventionist to reclaim control of your time, streamline tasks, and boost productivity effectively. This is an IP Lifeline article.