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Non-inherited antibiotic resistance

Nature Reviews Microbiology volume 4, pages 556–562 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

In addition to their impressive, well-publicized and well-researched propensity to evolve and acquire genetically determined mechanisms for resistance to antibiotics, bacteria that are inherently susceptible to these drugs can also be phenotypically refractory to their action. This phenomenon of 'non-inherited resistance' to antibiotics has been known since the beginning of the antibiotic era but, relative to inherited resistance, it has been given little attention. Here, we review the in vitro and in vivo evidence for the different forms of non-inherited resistance and the mechanisms responsible. With the aid of a simple mathematical model and computer simulations, we show how non-inherited resistance could extend the duration of antibiotic treatment, cause treatment failure and promote the generation and ascent of inherited resistance in treated patients.

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Figure 1: Viability of exponential-phase and stationary-phase bacteria in the presence of antibiotics.
Figure 2: The effect of non-inherited resistance on the course of antibiotic treatment (model simulation results).

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank F. Baquero, K. Drlica, P. Small and C. Wiuff for comments and suggestions. This enterprise was supported by grants from the US National Institutes of Health and the British Wellcome Trust (IPRAVE Project).

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  1. Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, 30307, Georgia, USA

    Bruce R. Levin & Daniel E. Rozen

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Correspondence to Bruce R. Levin.

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Entrez Genome Project

Escherichia coli K12

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Staphylococcus aureus

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Treponema pallidum

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Levin, B., Rozen, D. Non-inherited antibiotic resistance. Nat Rev Microbiol 4, 556–562 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1445

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