Aspects of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials used in veterinary dermatological practice

Aspects of bacterial resistance to the major classes of antimicrobials used in veterinary dermatology are presented in this review. Resistance of gram -positive and gram-negative bacteria to tetracyclines, macrolide-lincosamid e-streptogramin antibiotics, chloramphenicol, mupirocin, sulphonamides, tri methoprim, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones and beta-lactam antibiotics ar e depicted with respect to the different mechanisms of acquired and intrins ic resistance. Examples are given for the three major resistance mechanisms , enzymatic inactivation, decreased intracellular drug accumulation and tar get modification. In addition, basic information about mobile genetic eleme nts which carry resistance genes, such as plasmids, transposons and gene ca ssettes, and their modes of spreading via transduction, conjugation, mobili zation and transformation is provided.