Mecanismos de resistência a -lactâmicos em enterobacteriaceae

Abstract

The use of antimicrobials is essential for treating infectious diseases; however, misuse, as well as empirical administration, occurs significantly, usually in an abusive and unnecessary way. The result is an increased selective pressure on bacteria to develop resistance mechanisms. Microorganisms responsible for various infectious diseases have developed mechanisms of resistance to many antimicrobials, such as -lactams, for example, which represents a serious challenge for therapeutics, and a consequent increase in mortality rates. Thus, increased antimicrobial resistance poses a growing threat to public health. Bacteria are among the group of multiresistant microorganisms which use different biochemical and / or genetic mechanisms, by which they can prevent the action of an -lactam. One of the main mechanism is the production of -lactamases, which are enzymes able of promoting degradation of the -lactam ring, causing the inactivity of the antimicrobial. Among the -lactamases, the group of the broad-spectrum -lactamases (ESBL) generates a greater concern, and the carbapenemases group, which are more versatile enzymes that confer resistance to all -lactams. Enterobacteriaceae-producing broad-spectrum -lactamases (ESBL), as well as the producers of carbapenemases, for example, have one of the main emerging resistance mechanisms among representatives of the family. Actions to prevent a global health crisis become urgent once there is a shortage of new antibacterials. In addition, -lactams that are already in clinical use have presented inefficiency against multiresistant bacteria. Thus, this study aimed to perform a bibliographic review, addressing issues related to the resistance mechanisms of multiresistant bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae to -lactams agents.