Drug Resistance in Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Mechanisms and Models

Overview

Journal Biology (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2021 Feb 12

PMID 33573039

Citations 49

Authors

Saloni Saxena

Herman P Spaink

Gabriel Forn-Cuni

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The genus comprises a multitude of species known to cause serious disease in humans, including and , the responsible agents for tuberculosis and leprosy, respectively. In addition, there is a worldwide spike in the number of infections caused by a mixed group of species such as the , and complexes, collectively called nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs). The situation is forecasted to worsen because, like tuberculosis, NTMs either naturally possess or are developing high resistance against conventional antibiotics. It is, therefore, important to implement and develop models that allow us to effectively examine the fundamental questions of NTM virulence, as well as to apply them for the discovery of new and improved therapies. This literature review will focus on the known molecular mechanisms behind drug resistance in NTM and the current models that may be used to test new effective antimicrobial therapies.

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