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The Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance on the Human Microbiome

Microbial Ecology volume 74, pages 1001–1008 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Ubiquitous in nature, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has existed long before the golden age of antimicrobials. While antimicrobial agents are beneficial to combat infection, their widespread use contributes to the increase in and emergence of novel resistant microbes in virtually all environmental niches. The human microbiome is an important reservoir of AMR with initial exposure occurring in early life. Once seeded with AMR, commensal organisms may be key contributors to the dissemination of resistance due to the interconnectedness of microbial communities. When acquired by pathogens however, AMR becomes a serious public health threat worldwide. Our ability to combat the threat of emerging resistance relies on accurate AMR detection methods and the development of therapeutics that function despite the presence of antimicrobial resistance.

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  1. J. Craig Venter Institute|, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA

    Lauren Brinkac, Alexander Voorhies, Andres Gomez & Karen E. Nelson

  2. Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa

    Lauren Brinkac & Karen E. Nelson

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  1. Lauren Brinkac
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Correspondence to Lauren Brinkac.

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This project has been funded in whole or part with federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Award Number U19AI110819.

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Brinkac, L., Voorhies, A., Gomez, A. et al. The Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance on the Human Microbiome. Microb Ecol 74, 1001–1008 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-017-0985-z

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Keywords

  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Human microbiome