In this literature review I will briefly describe the general biology of transferable antibiotic resistance in bacteria, the genetic elements involved (plasmids) and several specific plasmid associated phenotypes. This will be followed with a review of the general biology of Bacteroides, the information known concerning its plasmid reservoir and finally a review of the information documenting the emergence of transferable clindamycin resistance in Bacteroides. The latter aspect represents the central focus of research described in this thesis
