ABSTRACT
Antimicrobials can destroy microbes or may restrict microbial growth. They may be classified, based on the microbes against which they mainly act. Microorganisms, particularly bacteria often develop several ways of resisting the potential of the antimicrobials and this resistance is controlled by genetic diversity or genes undergoing mutation within the microbes. The resistance of microbes against several potential antimicrobial agents available so far, is termed antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is one of the growing global health concerns of this century. With evolution and developments in science, antimicrobials have emerged as an interesting boon to animal and human healthcare sectors for treating microbial infections and various other diseases. On the other hand, newly evolved strains of bacteria along with reckless use and misuse of antimicrobials have given risen to AMR to an uncontrollable extent. AMR is increasing at an alarming rate with each passing day. Knowledge about the genetic mechanisms responsible for AMR development is still not clearly understood. To understand AMR development in bacteria, the genes responsible for providing resistance need to be analyzed at a molecular level, which will reveal their mechanism and distribution. Focused research and resistant gene profiling of ESKAPE pathogens is also required to study AMR development. In this chapter, an outline has been given regarding the AMR development mechanisms throwing light on the genes responsible for providing resistance in pathogens against antimicrobials. In addition to this, mobile genetic elements including transposons, integrons and plasmids are also related to the AMR genes and transmission of this AMR characteristic to the future generations of bacteria.
