Pan-resistance

Definition

Pan-resistance is the condition where a microorganism is resistant to all available antimicrobial agents. This resistance makes infections extremely difficult to treat.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pan-resistant bacteria are often associated with hospital-acquired infections.
2. The most common species exhibiting pan-resistance include certain strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
3. Mechanisms of pan-resistance can involve horizontal gene transfer, mutations, and efflux pumps.
4. Treatment options for infections caused by pan-resistant organisms are extremely limited and often require experimental therapies or combination treatments.
5. Pan-resistance poses a significant public health threat due to the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with untreatable infections.

Related terms

Multidrug-Resistant (MDR): Bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics but not necessarily all available agents.

Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR): Microorganisms resistant to almost all but one or two classes of antimicrobial agents.

Efflux Pump: A mechanism used by bacteria to expel antibiotics and other toxic substances from their cells, contributing to drug resistance.