English

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens associated with a variety of medical and veterinary infections and therefore, it presents a major public health threat. Different classes of antibiotics are being used to treat its infections which are increasing selective pressure to multi-drug resistance development. Resistance to antibiotics in P. aeruginosa is due to many of the common and unique mechanisms which include: reducing membrane permeability, modification or inactivation of antibiotics, alteration of enzymes, modification of target sites and over-expression of efflux systems. Over or under expression of the genes of porin channels and components of efflux systems play a major role in the resistance mechanisms of P. aeruginosa. To overcome the problem of the emergence of antibiotic resistance, many new strategies are being employed to control infections caused by P. aeruginosa. These include the use of herbs/medicinal plants and phage therapy. With the advent of modern technology, the molecular mechanisms of these alternative therapies are being elucidated and may be used in future to treat P. aeruginosa infections in humans and veterinary clinics. This review thus highlights the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa against the commonly used antimicrobials and also some alternative strategies to control P. aeruginosa infection. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers