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From Cure to Crisis: Understanding the Evolution of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Human Microbiota Publisher Pubmed



Tahmasebi H1 ; Arjmand N2 ; Monemi M3 ; Babaeizad A4 ; Alibabaei F4 ; Alibabaei N5 ; Bahar A6 ; Oksenych V7 ; Eslami M8, 9
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, 36147-73943, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tehran Medical University, Tehran, 14167-53955, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Tehran Medical Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, 19395-1495, Iran
  4. 4. Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 35147-99442, Iran
  5. 5. Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, 48157-33971, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Biochemistry, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 35147-99442, Iran
  7. 7. Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5020, Norway
  8. 8. Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 35147-99442, Iran
  9. 9. Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, 35147-99442, Iran

Source: Biomolecules Published:2025


Abstract

The growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria within the human microbiome has become a pressing global health crisis. While antibiotics have revolutionized medicine by significantly reducing mortality and enabling advanced medical interventions, their misuse and overuse have led to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. Key resistance mechanisms include genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and biofilm formation, with the human microbiota acting as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Industrialization and environmental factors have exacerbated this issue, contributing to a rise in infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. These resistant pathogens compromise the effectiveness of essential treatments like surgical prophylaxis and chemotherapy, increase healthcare costs, and prolong hospital stays. This crisis highlights the need for a global One-Health approach, particularly in regions with weak regulatory frameworks. Innovative strategies, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, offer promising avenues for mitigating resistance. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated efforts, encompassing research, policymaking, public education, and antibiotic stewardship, to safeguard current antibiotics and foster the development of new therapeutic solutions. An integrated, multidimensional strategy is essential to tackle this escalating problem and ensure the sustainability of effective antimicrobial treatments. © 2025 by the authors.