Insert sequences of CRISPR/Cas system regulate horizontal antibiotic gene transfer in Shigella

Shigella is the leading cause of bacterial dysentery which is a serious threat to health. Shigellosis remains a public health concern because it is responsible for an estimated 200 million  illnesses and 600 thousand deaths per year in the world and 500 thousand illnesses, 200-500 deaths in China [1–3]. Owing to the wide use of antibiotics, the emergence of resistant strains of Shigella is a great challenge [4]. The mechanisms of antibiotics resistance are associated with point m utation, cellular impermeability, active efflux system such as arcAB-tolC, mutation(s) at the target sites, and the horizontal transfer of the resistance genes which was found to be the most important factor [5–7].

Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - October 3, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Shuaiyin Chen, Huiying Liu, Wenjuan Liang, Lijuan Hong, Bing Zhang, Lu Huang, Xiangjiao Guo, Guangcai Duan Source Type: research