Download or read book Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter: From Drug Resistance to Pathogenesis written by Ghassan M. Matar and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2018-05-03 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are among the most common non-lactose-fermenting Gram-negative pathogens responsible for hospital-acquired infections, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). The treatment of infections caused by these bacteria is complicated due to the emergence of multi-drug resistance as the two species are noted for their intrinsic resistance to antimicrobial agents and their ability to acquire genetic elements that encode for resistance determinants. In both species, resistance to multiple classes of antimicrobial agents can seriously compromise the ability to treat infected patients, especially the immunocompromised. Consequently, very few antimicrobials remain as treatment options. Mechanisms of resistance in both of these pathogens include the production of β-lactamases and aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes as well as reduced or lack of expression of outer membrane proteins, mutations in topoisomerases, and up-regulation of efflux pumps. To that purpose, the findings of the studies included in this book deal with the prevalence of resistant isolates to various antimicrobial agents in both P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii, their underlying mechanisms of resistance, their virulence factors, their pathogenesis, and prospective treatment options. Special thanks are due to Mr. Bassam El-Hafi for facilitating procedures involved in this publication.