Abstract

Quinolone has been widely used in urology because urinary tract infection is usually caused by Gram negative pathogens. However, quinolone resistance is increasing due to the increased use of quinolones. Typical quinolone resistance occurs as a result of mutations in the target enzymes and of changes in quinolone entry and efflux pump. Recently, plasmid mediated quinolone resistance has emerged and spread worldwide. The qnr gene of the plasmid produces the Qnr protein, which prevents quinolones from inhibiting the target enzymes. The qnr-bearing strains generate quinolone resistant mutants much more frequently than qnr-free strains. Moreover, The qnr-plasmids carry multiple resistance determinants providing resistance to other antibiotics. Thus, careful attention should be paid to the understanding and prevention of quinolone resistance.

• Keywords: Quinolones, Drug resistance, Bacteria, Urology