Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate
amounts confer a health benefit on the host. The main probiotic bacteria
are strains belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, although other representatives, such as Bacillus or Escherichia coli strains, have also been used. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
are two common inhabitants of the human intestinal microbiota. Also,
some species are used in food fermentation processes as starters, or as
adjunct cultures in the food industry. With some exceptions, antibiotic
resistance in these beneficial microbes does not constitute a safety
concern in itself, when mutations or intrinsic resistance mechanisms are
responsible for the resistance phenotype. In fact, some probiotic
strains with intrinsic antibiotic resistance could be useful for
restoring the gut microbiota after antibiotic treatment. However,
specific antibiotic resistance determinants carried on mobile genetic
elements, such as tetracycline resistance genes, are often detected in
the typical probiotic genera, and constitute a reservoir of resistance
for potential food or gut pathogens, thus representing a serious safety
issue.
In relation to this important area, a paper titled "Antibiotic resistance in probiotic bacteria" has been written for the journal Frontiers in Antimicrobials (Front. Microbiol., 18 July 2013 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00202).
For further details see: Frontiers.
Posted by Tim Sandle
In relation to this important area, a paper titled "Antibiotic resistance in probiotic bacteria" has been written for the journal Frontiers in Antimicrobials (Front. Microbiol., 18 July 2013 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00202).
For further details see: Frontiers.
Posted by Tim Sandle
No comments:
Post a Comment
Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources