Global Priority Pathogens: Virulence, Antimicrobial Resistance and Prospective Treatment Options

Abstract

<jats:p> Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. are part of a group of pathogens that pose a major threat to human health due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. Moreover, these bacteria have several virulence factors that allow them to successfully colonize their hosts, such as toxins and the ability to produce biofilms, resulting in an urgent need to develop new strategies to fight these pathogens. In this review, we compile the most up-to-date information on the epidemiology, virulence and resistance of these clinically important microorganisms. Additionally, we address new therapeutic alternatives, with a focus on molecules with antivirulence activity, which are considered promising to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. </jats:p>

The Spread of NDM-1 and NDM-7-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Is Driven by Multiclonal Expansion of High-Risk Clones in Healthcare Institutions in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon Region

“…The resistance trend for 3rd/4th generation cephalosporins and carbapenems among K. pneumoniae isolates have been reported in several countries, and in Latin America, countries including Brazil, Argentina and Chile account for most of the cases [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]. Indeed, on recently reported data of national surveillance on antimicrobial resistance, K. pneumoniae isolated in adult and pediatric Brazilian ICUs presented resistance rates ranging 49.3% to 68.1% and 19.3% to 51.8% to 3rd/4th generation cephalosporins and carbapenems, respectively [ 19 ].…”

“…Klebsiella pneumoniae is among the major pathogens causing healthcare-related infections (HAIs) and outbreaks in several healthcare institutions. This is due to its antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence traits, leading to the increasingly frequent reports of severe infections, poor prognosis outcomes, and limitation of antimicrobial therapy options [ 1 , 2 ].…”

Genomic and Metabolic Characteristics of the Pathogenicity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

“…Thus, the study of extracellular proteins is of high interest due to their essential roles in bacterial lifestyle [ 49 ]. Currently, although antibiotic pressure, airway heterogeneity and the natural versatility of P. aeruginosa play an important role in its diversification, the exact mechanisms that drive adaptability and diversification in this species are still not fully understood [ 2 , 50 , 51 ].…”

“…Pseudomonas aeruginosa has the ability to infect not only humans, but also animals and plants. Given its role as an important human pathogen, several virulence factors have been studied, as well as their regulatory systems [ 2 ]. This pathogen is armed with a wide set of virulence factors, allowing it to harm host cells and modulate human adaptive immune mechanisms, thus causing the appearance of new infections [ 3 ].…”

Pharmacodynamics of Linezolid Plus Fosfomycin Against Vancomycin–Resistant Enterococcus faecium in a Hollow Fiber Infection Model

“…However, the specific relationship between fosfomycin resistance and bacterial virulence in VREfm has not been reported in the literature. These virulence factors, such as the enterococcal surface protein ( esp ) and adhesin of collagen from Enterococcus faecium ( acm ), enable enterococcus to successfully colonize the host and participate in biofilm formation ( Strateva et al, 2016 ; Gao et al, 2018 ; Gaca and Lemos, 2019 ; M Campos et al, 2020 ). Therefore, these two virulence genes were used as breakthroughs to explore the relationship between fosfomycin resistance and bacterial virulence in VREfm from a quantitative perspective.…”