Antibiotic resistance propagation through probiotics

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The widespread use of probiotics globally has established an argument against their safety profile. Recent studies investigated the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) amongst opportunistic pathogens, probiotics, and the normal microbiota which might cause severe clinical implications.

Areas covered

In this review, we aimed to discuss the potential role of probiotics in spreading antibiotic resistance. All relevant data were found through online/updated databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov. This review is based on the studies undertaken over the past two decades (2000–2020).

Expert opinion

Microorganisms are capable of transferring resistance genes to survive against antimicrobial medications. Transference of resistance genes among pathogens, probiotics, and gut microbiota in the GIT through HGT endow probiotics as a possible source for antimicrobial resistance genes, which is responsible for the development of the antibiotic resistance crisis. According to the expression of genes in mechanisms of antibiotics resistance and probiotics HGT, the hypothesis of the role of these microorganisms in personalized medicine and gene therapy could also be considered.

KEYWORDS:

• Probiotics
• microbiota
• antibiotic resistance
• antimicrobial resistance

Article highlights

• Existence of probiotic microorganisms containing resistance gene is responsible for the AMR spread worldwide.

• Although there are different mechanisms involved in the incidence of antibiotic resistance, HGT by mobile genetic elements (especially plasmids) is responsible for the propagation of AMR among various microorganisms.

• Transference of HGT is more common in the human GIT between probiotic’s microorganisms (both bacteria and yeast), pathogenic bacteria and normal microbiota of the intestine.

• Both in-vitro and in-vivo studies proved probiotics as gene reservoir which carries transferable resistance genes.

• The potential of HGT among microorganisms depends deeply on the specie and strain of the microorganisms.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.