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Aminoglycosides versus bacteria – a description of the action, resistance mechanism, and nosocomial battleground

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Journal of Biomedical Science

Abstract

Since 1944, we have come a long way using aminoglycosides as antibiotics. Bacteria also have got them selected with hardier resistance mechanisms. Aminoglycosides are aminocyclitols that kill bacteria by inhibiting protein synthesis as they bind to the 16S rRNA and by disrupting the integrity of bacterial cell membrane. Aminoglycoside resistance mechanisms include: (a) the deactivation of aminoglycosides by N-acetylation, adenylylation or O-phosphorylation, (b) the reduction of the intracellular concentration of aminoglycosides by changes in outer membrane permeability, decreased inner membrane transport, active efflux, and drug trapping, (c) the alteration of the 30S ribosomal subunit target by mutation, and (d) methylation of the aminoglycoside binding site. There is an alarming increase in resistance outbreaks in hospital setting. Our review explores the molecular understanding of aminoglycoside action and resistance with an aim to minimize the spread of resistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, 202002, Aligarh, India

    Shazi Shakil, Rosina Khan & Asad U. Khan

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Preventive, Università di Napoli ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy

    Raffaele Zarrilli

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  1. Shazi Shakil
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  2. Rosina Khan
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Correspondence to Asad U. Khan.

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Shakil, S., Khan, R., Zarrilli, R. et al. Aminoglycosides versus bacteria – a description of the action, resistance mechanism, and nosocomial battleground. J Biomed Sci 15, 5–14 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11373-007-9194-y

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