Role of RND Efflux Pumps and Biofilm in Conferring Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Abstract

Resistant bacteria deploy a diverse array of defense mechanisms to counter the inhibitory effect of antibiotics and help them survive adverse conditions. Efflux pumps and biofilms significantly contribute to the overall AMR phenomenon. While the former contributes to the extrusion of toxic metabolites and antibiotics out of the bacterial planktonic forms, the latter confers protection to the bacterial population per se at a community level. The association of both of these factors in pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections further indicates their significance in the development of multi-drug resistance.