Open AccessThe Great ESKAPE: Exploring the Crossroads of Bile and Antibiotic Resistance in Bacterial Pathogens
Author(s) -
Kevin S. Gipson,
Kourtney P. Nickerson,
Eliana Drenkard,
Alejandro Llanos-Chea,
Snaha Krishna Dogiparthi,
Bernard B. Lanter,
Rhianna M. Hibbler,
Lael M. Yonker,
Bryan P. Hurley,
Christina S. Faherty
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
infection and immunity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.508
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1070-6313
pISSN - 0019-9567
DOI - 10.1128/iai.00865-19
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , biology , bacteria , antibiotics , gastrointestinal tract , antibiotic resistance , biochemistry , genetics
Throughout the course of infection, many pathogens encounter bactericidal conditions that threaten the viability of the bacteria and impede the establishment of infection. Bile is one of the most innately bactericidal compounds present in humans, functioning to reduce the bacterial burden in the gastrointestinal tract while also aiding in digestion. It is becoming increasingly apparent that pathogens successfully resist the bactericidal conditions of bile, including bacteria that do not normally cause gastrointestinal infections. This review highlights the ability of Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella , Acinetobacter , Pseudomonas , Enterobacter (ESKAPE), and other enteric pathogens to resist bile and how these interactions can impact the sensitivity of bacteria to various antimicrobial agents. Given that pathogen exposure to bile is an essential component to gastrointestinal transit that cannot be avoided, understanding how bile resistance mechanisms align with antimicrobial resistance is vital to our ability to develop new, successful therapeutics in an age of widespread and increasing antimicrobial resistance.