THE ROLE OF EFFLUX PUMP AND OTHER MECHANISMS OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE TO (FLUORO)QUINOLONES IN EPIDEMIC ISOLATES OF SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM, SALMONELLA KENTUCKY AND SALMONELLA INFANTIS

Abstract

This paper briefly describes mechanisms of resistance to fluoroquinolones in several worldwide distributed Salmonella clones. The isolates have acquired multiple resistance traits over the years due to extensive antibiotic treatment both in human and veterinary medicine. Except for the Salmonella Typhimuirum DT104 where effl ux pump appears to play a major role in resistance to (fluoro)quinolones, in other serovars mutations on topoisomerase genes seem to fi rstly occur and have been primary mechanisms of resistance. Plasmid borne resistance is rarely detected but because of horizontal gene transfer needs to be recorded. Understanding the genetic events at the molecular level is crucial in epidemiology work and provides insight in spreading of resistance clones of Salmonella.