Antibiotic Resistance in Probiotic Microorganisms

Abstract

Probiotics are widely used in different forms of food or food supplements due to their health benefits. Probiotics consumption has seen an increase over the years. The main species used in probiotic products are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, along with other species such as Bacillus. Generally, probiotic microorganisms are accepted as safe even though they are resistant to several antibiotics. Some probiotic strains with intrinsic antibiotic resistance may be beneficial in regenerating gut microbiota during antibiotic therapy. However, the antibiotic resistance genes identified in probiotic microorganisms may carry the risk of the transfer of resistance genes to pathogens, raising concerns. For instance, tetracycline resistance genes have often been detected in probiotic organisms Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. The antibiotic resistance genes carried on mobile genetic elements create reservoirs for pathogen resistance. This transfer of resistant genes to opportunistic pathogens and their spread may pose great danger. Hence, the purpose of this review was to assess the presence of antibiotic resistance in probiotic microorganisms and the potential transfer of the resistant genes to pathogens or commensal bacteria in the intestine.