Investigating Integron as the Principal Factor of Antibiotic Resistance in the Human Gut: A Holistic Perspective
摘要
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health crisis, and a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms is needed. This book chapter discusses the significance of integrons in the development of AMR in the human gut. Integrons are genetic elements that can capture and express gene cassettes, which aid in acquiring and disseminating resistance genes among microbial populations. It introduces integrons and discusses the mechanisms through which they help facilitate the emergence of AMR, especially in the human gut, highlighting their ability to capture, rearrange, and express resistance genes within bacterial populations. Integrons act as dynamic platforms that enable bacteria to adapt rapidly to selective pressures, fostering the survival of resistant strains. Moreover, the coexistence of multiple resistance genes within integrons further enhances the complexity and versatility of the resistance profiles observed. It also emphasizes the clinical implications of integron-mediated antimicrobial resistance, exploring the impact on treatment efficacy and the challenges posed to public health interventions. Understanding the dynamics of integron-mediated resistance is crucial for designing effective strategies to mitigate the spread of AMR. Moreover, this book chapter further suggests novel techniques to counter AMR in the human gut, as well as the possible roles that can be played by artificial intelligence in this case, and concludes by underscoring the need for continued research to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying integron-driven antimicrobial resistance, with the goal of informing the development of targeted interventions to safeguard the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies.