The Antibiotic Resistance Era in Enterobacteriaceae: Mechanisms, Epidemiology, and Emerging Countermeasures
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Enterobacteriaceae—Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae—are major causes of both community- and hospital-acquired infections. The rise of antibiotic resistance within this family, particularly via extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), carbapenemases (e.g., NDM 1, KPC), and plasmid-mediated determinants, has drastically reduced treatment options. The global dissemination of resistance elements such as mcr 1 further compounds the challenge. This review synthesizes key mechanisms, including emerging heteroresistance, traces current epidemiological trends across diverse regions, and examines promising strategies such as phage therapy, rapid diagnostics, and next-generation agents. Addressing this crisis demands multidisciplinary solutions that span molecular innovation, diagnostic advancements, and stewardship strategies to mitigate the mounting threat posed by resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
Authors: Kabir Shekh Mohammad, Krishna Zoirn Abada
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Medicine
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4413840447