Is there any report, which says that bacteria develops resistant to any chemical of any origin and that of other than antibiotics.
I think specific resistance by the presence of inactivating enzymes, pumping out of the chemical or general resistance due to the formation of physical barriers (like biofims) are possible. For example copper resistance in plant pathogenic bacteria (you will find ample references for this)
Bacteria are extremely intelligent organisms with IQ in 1000s. Consequently they will eventually get aroud any chemical molecule harmful to them by developing resistance. As we know bacteria can mount resistance by mutating existing genes (vertical evolution) or by acquiring new genes from other strains or species (horizontal gene transfer) by mobile genetic elements, including phages, plasmids and transposons mediated transfer. In some circumstances the presence of low levels of the antibiotic in the environment is the key signal that promotes gene transfer, perhaps ensuring that the whole microbial community is protected from annihilation by antibiotics and other deterimental chemicals.
However, bacteria have a limited size of genome most of which is utilised to perform essential house keeping functions including continued growth, multiplication and division. Aa such it is important for them to prioritise which house keeping genes to sacrifice (switch off) to mount resistance to new antibiotics and chemical agents. This means their ability to mount resistance is not in question, however, they may choose to prioritise otherwise.
Professor Sayed Subhan Bukhari MD FRCPath
Consultant in infection, Midlands, UK
One reasonable why bacteria have increased to resist antibiotics, they have to develop their cells for survival in serious environment, that used chemical agents such as disinfectants.
I concour with Dr. Bukhari's comments above.
Bacteria like all other living organisms will adapt (mutate) to survive in any environment to which they are subjected. Though their genome size is limited, because of the millions of organisms that are present in a broth culture there is always the possibility that there will be some which be able to withstand any molecule to which they are exposed, be it an antibiotic, metallic oxide, or physiological change.
Development of resistance depends on how influential the chemical is on bacteria. Because, development of resistance needs more energy to have specific genes and maintenance of the same. If the chemical is not toxic or harmful to bacteria, they don't bother about the compound. Example, plasmid mediated antibiotic resistance, if the microbes is cultured several times without antibiotic, it will loose the resistance power (i.e., it will not reproduce the plasmid in the next generation), when exposed to to the antibiotic, then it will develop the resistance again.
The answer is yes, mainly because of nonspecific efflux pumps in bacteria.
Dear All
If bacteria is avail to do this with simple chemical molecule. Then these molecules must be throughly tested as like as antibiotics for resistance development. These should be banned or limited as antibiotics. What about others opinion?
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Entomology
- Resistance