Antibiotic resistance and the safety of probiotic microorganisms

Аннотация

Background and Aim. Antibiotic resistance is a global threat to health. One of the current safety concerns regarding probiotic microorganisms is their antibiotic resistance, which is often associated with mobile genetic elements. There are risks of horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from commercial probiotic microorganisms - used in biologics, food, and feed additives - to pathogens affecting humans and domestic animals.
Materials and Methods. In this work, the criteria for assessing the safety of probiotic microorganisms, as set by researchers and national regulatory bodies, are summarised. The safety criteria set out in the most well known QPS and GRAS systems are analysed in detail. The literature on the antibiotic resistance of probiotic microorganisms was analysed from the following
aspects: intrinsic and acquired resistance; phenotypic and genotypic profiles; species- and strain-level differences, and the role of the ecological niche.
Results. This study presents the results of an analysis of the safety and antibiotic resistance of probiotic microorganisms employed as biopreparations in public health measures, veterinary medicine, and the food industry. Safety assessment relies on a comprehensive approach, including the genetic characteristics of probiotic strains. The priority of full-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis is emphasised, as these enable a detailed review of the probiotic microorganism genome for the presence of genes determining the synthesis of virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, bioamines, and others.
Conclusion. The review emphasizes the importance of assessing the safety and antibiotic resistance of strains of lactic acid bacteria. Whole-genome sequencing of the strain is considered a priority.