London, Jan 31: Repeated antibiotic treatment not only can increase bacteria's resistance to drugs but also help them reproduce faster than before, warns a new study. The finding that growth of bacteria can be stimulated by antibiotics underlines the importance of using the right antibiotic on patients as soon as possible.
For the study, the researchers exposed E.coli bacteria to eight rounds of antibiotic treatment over four days and found the bug — which can cause severe stomach pain, diarrhoea and kidney failure in humans — had increased antibiotic resistance with each treatment.
This had been expected, but researchers were surprised to find mutated E.coli reproduced faster than before encountering the drugs and formed populations that were three times larger because of the mutations.
This was only seen in bacteria exposed to antibiotics — and when researchers took the drug away, the evolutionary changes were not undone and the new-found abilities remained, said the study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.
"Our research suggests there could be added benefits for E.coli bacteria when they evolve resistance to clinical levels of antibiotics," said lead author Robert Beardmore, Professor at University of Exeter in Britain.
"It's often said that Darwinian evolution is slow, but nothing could be further from the truth, particularly when bacteria are exposed to antibiotics," Beardmore said.
"Bacteria have a remarkable ability to rearrange their DNA and this can stop drugs working, sometimes in a matter of days," Beardmore explained. The researchers tested the effects of the antibiotic doxycycline on E.coli as part of a study of DNA changes brought about by antibiotics.
"It is said by some that drug resistance evolution doesn't take place at high dosages but our paper shows that it can and that bacteria can change in ways that would not be beneficial for the treatment of certain types of infection," Mark Hewlett, also of the University of Exeter, pointed out.
"This shows it's important to use the right antibiotic on patients as soon as possible so we don't see adaptations like these in the clinic," Hewlett noted.
Related Post
Trinidad Tobago Prime Minister in Mumbai to Promote Bi-Lateral Relations and Open a Cricket Academy in Trinidad
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Christopher Rowley, and his wife, Sharon Rowley, were accorded a ceremonial reception…
Seminar on Management Accounting Focuses on the Evolving Landscape of Management Accounting
The national seminar “Navigating the New Frontier: Management Accounting in the Era of Real-Time Insights, Sustainable Growth, and Cybersecurity,”…
First Marathi Book’s 200th Print Edition by Ex-RBI Luminary Released
In a significant event this weekend, Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais released the 200th special edition of the book ‘Aamcha Baap…
Middle East Weekly Round Up
FedEx Opens Advanced Sustainable Logistics Hub in Dubai Boosting the UAE’s Green Economy Goals, FedEx Express has unveiled a cutting-edge logistics hub at…
Diwali Festival
Diwali, celebrated in Mumbai with great enthusiasm, illuminates the city with vibrant lights, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.…
Special News
-
Janet Bray Attwood – A Passion Pioneer
December 27, 2023 -
Balattan leaves behind legions of admirers
October 12, 2021 -
Eulogy to a marketing colossus
August 30, 2021 -
Unsung warriors Mumbai Customs
July 13, 2021 -
Adieu to a top bureaucrat
July 11, 2021 -
New CBI chief can uncage the parrot
June 1, 2021 -
Shirley Pillai Saviour for school kids
May 30, 2021 -
BMC s Chahal Beacon of light in a crisis
May 23, 2021 -
Indu Jain an icon for all ages
May 19, 2021 -
Leela an Invaluable Name and a Unique Brand
May 18, 2021
Top News
-
Masdar, EGA form Alliance for Low-Carbon Aluminium
April 22, 2024
Middle East Weekly Round Up
May 16, 2024
Diwali Festival
May 14, 2024