ORCID Identifiers
Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
Membranes
Publication Date
8-1-2020
Abstract
© 2020 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Following their initial discovery in the 1940s, polymyxin antibiotics fell into disfavor due to their potential clinical toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity. However, the dry antibiotic development pipeline, together with the rising global prevalence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria have both rejuvenated clinical interest in these polypeptide antibiotics. Parallel to the revival of their use, investigations into the mechanisms of action and resistance to polymyxins have intensified. With an initial known effect on biological membranes, research has uncovered the detailed molecular and chemical interactions that polymyxins have with Gram-negative outer membranes and lipopolysaccharide structure. In addition, genetic and epidemiological studies have revealed the basis of resistance to these agents. Nowadays, resistance to polymyxins in MDR Gram-negative pathogens is well elucidated, with chromosomal as well as plasmid-encoded, transferrable pathways. The aims of the current review are to highlight the important chemical, microbiological, and pharmacological properties of polymyxins, to discuss their mechanistic effects on bacterial membranes, and to revise the current knowledge about Gram-negative acquired resistance to these agents. Finally, recent research, directed towards new perspectives for improving these old agents utilized in the 21st century, to combat drug-resistant pathogens, is summarized.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
10
Issue
8
First Page
1
Last Page
30
Disciplines
Life Sciences
Keywords
Antibiotic resistance, Colistin, Gram-negative pathogens, Lipopolysaccharide, Mcr, Outer membrane, Polymyxins
Scopus ID
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Ayoub Moubareck, Carole, "Polymyxins and bacterial membranes: A review of antibacterial activity and mechanisms of resistance" (2020). All Works. 2711.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/2711
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
yes
Open Access Type
Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series