It's getting worse: antibiotic resistance among opportunistic pathogens

Abstract

The phenomenon of bacterial opportunism has been known for two centuries. It means the occurrence of species that generally remain completely harmless, but in conditions unfavorable for the host may lead to the development of disease symptoms. Until now, opportunistic pathogens have often been marginalized and the number of infections caused by them has been underestimated. In recent years, however, the importance of opportunistic human pathogens in the general pool of bacterial and fungal infections has been increasingly emphasized. Unfortunately, as the frequency of infections increases, so does the percentage of resistant strains among these bacteria and fungi. This is a serious therapeutic challenge, but also clearly demonstrates the need to take measures to prevent the emergence of antibiotic resistance among opportunists. These species, apart from causing infection, may constitute a natural reservoir of resistance for other, often more virulent, microorganisms and contribute to a marked reduction in the effectiveness of treatment with antibiotics and antimycotics.