The fast track to multidrug resistance.
In this issue of Molecular Cell, Kohanski et al. (2010) demonstrate that even subinhibitory concentrations of bactericidal antibiotics result in the generation of reactive oxygen species, leading to an increase in mutation rate and the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains.
Infectious Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Benjamin B
BB
Kaufmann
Deborah T
DT
Hung
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016296:Mutagenesis / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents