Antibiotic resistance begets more resistance: chromosomal resistance mutations mitigate fitness costs conferred by multi-resistant clinical plasmids.

Abstract excerpt

Plasmids are the primary vectors of horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria. Previous studies have shown that the spread and maintenance of plasmids among bacterial populations depend on the genetic makeup of both the plasmid and the host bacterium. Antibiotic resistance can also be acquired through mutations in the bacterial chromosome, which not only confer resistance but also result...

Topics

• Plasmids
• Escherichia coli
• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Mutation
• Chromosomes, Bacterial
• Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Genetic Fitness
• Ciprofloxacin
• Humans
• Escherichia coli Proteins