Antibiotic resistance appears to enhance fitness and virulence in certain bacterial strains

A rather disturbing study published in the Journal of Science Translation found that genes that conferred both intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance also imparted an in vivo fitness advantage to Pseudomonas during infection. These results were duplicated in Acinetobacter baumannii and Vibrio cholerae species. This would be another reason to advocate for antibiotic stewardship in both health care and agriculture.

Link to the abstract can be accessed here.

Link to business insider article can be accessed here.

Posted on 28/07/2015 by Dr. Dimitre