Researchers
have found that two strains of E. coli
bacteria, each resistant to one antibiotic, can protect each other in an
environment where both drugs are present.
The
findings demonstrate that mutualism, a phenomenon in which different species
benefit from their interactions with each other, can help bacteria form
drug-resistant communities. This is the first experimental demonstration in
microbes of a type of mutualism known as cross-protection, which is more
commonly seen in larger animals.
The
researchers focused on two strains of E.
coli, one resistant to ampicillin and the other resistant to
chloramphenicol. These bacteria and many others defend themselves from
antibiotics by producing enzymes that break down the antibiotics. As a side
effect, this also protects cells that don't produce those enzymes,
by removing the antibiotic from the environment.
For
further details, see:
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