Blocking horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes: an effective strategy in combating antibiotic resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant public health threat, with emerging and novel forms of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) potentially crossing international borders and challenging the global health systems. The rate of development of antibiotic resistance surpasses the development of new antibiotics. Consequently, there is a growing threat of bacteria acquiring resistance even to newer antibiotics further complicating the treatment of bacterial infections. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the key mechanism for the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria through the processes of conjugation, transformation, and transduction. Several compounds, other than antibiotics, have also been shown to promote HGT of ARGs. Given the crucial role of HGT in the dissemination of ARGs, inhibition of HGT is a key strategy to mitigate AMR. Therefore, this review explores the contribution of HGT in bacterial evolution, identifies specific hotspots andhighlights the role of HGT inhibitors in impeding the spread of ARGs. By specifically focusing on the HGT mechanism and its inhibition, these inhibitors offer a highly promising approach to combating AMR.