Epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical impact of bacterial heteroresistance.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial heteroresistance, a phenomenon where subpopulations within a bacterial strain exhibit significantly reduced antibiotic susceptibility compared to the main population, poses a major challenge in managing infectious diseases. It is considered an intermediate stage in the evolution of bacteria towards full resistance. Heteroresistant strains often have a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) that appears sensitive, making detection and differentiation in clinical settings difficult. As a result, the impact on clinical outcomes is challenging to fully understand, as it often remains "hidden". In recent years, heteroresistance has received increasing attention. However, it is still poorly understood and underappreciated. We provide an overview of the epidemiology, mechanisms, and cli

SUBMITTER: Xu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11775119 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature