Antibiotic resistance mechanisms of Vibrio cholerae

Abstract

As the causative agent of cholera, the bacterium Vibrio cholerae represents an enormous public health burden, especially in developing countries around the world. Cholera is a self-limiting illness; however, antibiotics are commonly administered as part of the treatment regimen. Here we review the initial identification and subsequent evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains of V. cholerae. Antibiotic resistance mechanisms, including efflux pumps, spontaneous chromosomal mutation, conjugative plasmids, SXT elements and integrons, are also discussed. Numerous multidrug-resistant strains of V. cholerae have been isolated from both clinical and environmental settings, indicating that antibiotic use has to be restricted and alternative methods for treating cholera have to be implemented.

Non-O1/Non-O139 Vibrio cholerae Avian Isolate from France Cocarrying the bla VIM-1 and bla VIM-4 Genes

“…ultidrug-resistant Vibrio cholerae strains have been increasingly reported worldwide (1). However, data on resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, mostly via genes encoding extended-spectrum ␤-lactamase (ESBL) (2,3) or cephalosporinase determinants (4) are limited.…”

Inhibition of the α-carbonic anhydrase fromVibrio choleraewith amides and sulfonamides incorporating imidazole moieties

“…This fact could be related to limited permeability of the cell wall to such compounds, leading to a reduced uptake into the cell, or to an efficient active efflux from the cell itself, a mechanism largely exploited by V. cholerae for antibiotic resistance 1 .…”

“…Cholera is contracted by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the pathogen, and particularly with the V. cholerae serogroups (O1 and O139) associated with the expression of the cholera toxin. Following a short incubation period, symptoms begin and severe fluid loss can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and, ultimately, death 1 . Precise estimates of the global burden of cholera remain a challenge because the majority of cases are not declared due to limitations, in some countries, in health surveillance management systems and fear of negative impact on trade and tourism.…”

“…The treatment of cholera infections, is mainly focused on the re-hydration by using saline-glucose solutions that can be combined, in case of severe dehydration, with antibiotics in order to stabilise highly dehydrated patients and reduce the duration of illness 4 . Tetracycline and quinolones have been widely used, but numerous multidrug-resistant strains of V. cholerae have been isolated from both clinical and environmental settings, and as a consequence, the use of antibiotics had to be restricted 1 and alternative target need to be identified in order to develop more effective and safe drugs for cholera treatment.…”

Cyclo(valine–valine) inhibits Vibrio cholerae virulence gene expression

“…This would have the effect of either blocking infection in at-risk populations or mitigating disease in cholera patients. As exemplified by the ongoing cholera outbreak in Haiti, alternative therapeutic interventions for cholera are needed to combat the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance (Kitaoka et al, 2011) and to supplement current cholera control strategies. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that CDP antivirulence activity was not limited to cFP by assaying three CDPs that were not native to V. cholerae.…”