The newly discovered mechanism of resistance spread has nothing to do with the use of antibiotics

 ETH researchers concluded from laboratory experiments that antibiotic resistance will not spread where and when antibiotics are heavily used. Therefore, reducing the use of antibiotics alone is not enough to reduce drug resistance, and should be done together with measures to prevent infection by resistant bacteria.

Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to common antibiotics. Generally, resistance is mediated by resistance genes, and resistance genes can simply jump from one bacterial population to another. A common assumption is that resistance genes are mainly transmitted when antibiotics are used. This is the reason supported by Darwin's theory: only when antibiotics are actually used, resistant bacteria have an advantage over other bacteria. In an antibiotic-free environment, resistant bacteria have no advantage. This explains why health experts are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics and demand more restrictions on their use.

However, a research team led by scientists from ETH Zurich and the University of Basel has now discovered an additional, previously unknown mechanism that spreads resistance in gut bacteria that does not rely on the use of antibiotics. "Restricting the use of antibiotics is very important, and it is indeed the right approach, but this measure alone is not enough to prevent the spread of resistance," said Médéric Diard, who recently worked at ETH Zurich and is now a professor at the University of Basel. Biozentrum. He continued, “If you want to control the spread of resistance genes, you must start with resistant microorganisms and prevent them from spreading through more effective hygiene measures or vaccination.”

Combination of two resistance mechanisms

Persistent bacteria, also called persistent bacteria, are responsible for this newly discovered resistance spread mechanism. Scientists already know that just like bacteria carrying resistance genes, adherents can survive antibiotic treatment. They are in a temporary dormant state, which can minimize their metabolism, thereby preventing antibiotics from killing them. In the case of Salmonella, when the bacteria penetrate the body tissues from the inside of the intestine, the bacteria will be dormant. Once they invade the tissue, the holder can remain undetected for several months before waking up from the dormant state. If the conditions are conducive to the survival of the bacteria, the infection can recur.