Cellular hysteresis as a principle to maximize the efficacy of antibiotic therapy.

ABSTRACT: Antibiotic resistance has become one of the most dramatic threats to global health. While novel treatment options are urgently required, most attempts focus on finding new antibiotic substances. However, their development is costly, and their efficacy is often compromised within short time periods due to the enormous potential of microorganisms for rapid adaptation. Here, we developed a strategy that uses the currently available antibiotics. Our strategy exploits cellular hysteresis, which is the long-lasting, transgenerational change in cellular physiology that is induced by one antibiotic and sensitizes bacteria to another subsequently administered antibiotic. Using evolution experiments, mathematical modeling, genomics, and functional genetic analysis, we demonstrate that sequential tre

SUBMITTER: Roemhild R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6166819 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature