How can bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance?

Bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance through several mechanisms, notably horizontal gene transfer, mutations, and selective pressure.

Horizontal gene transfer involves the transfer of genetic material between bacteria, which can occur through several methods, including transformation, transduction, and conjugation. When one bacterium receives DNA that contains antibiotic resistance genes, it can adopt these traits and become resistant to specific antibiotics.

Mutations can occur during DNA replication and may lead to changes in bacterial genes that enhance survival in the presence of antibiotics. Some mutations can provide advantages, such as the ability to alter the target site of the antibiotic, rendering it ineffective.

Selective pressure is a critical factor in the development of antibiotic resistance. When antibiotics are used, susceptible bacteria are killed, while those with resistance traits survive and proliferate. Over time, this leads to an increase in the population of resistant bacteria, making treatment of infections more challenging.

This accumulation of resistance traits through these mechanisms highlights the adaptability of bacteria and the ongoing challenges in combating antibiotic resistance.