Bacteria subsisting on antibiotics

摘要: Antibiotics are a crucial line of defense against bacterial infections. Nevertheless, several antibiotics natural products microorganisms that have as yet poorly appreciated ecological roles in the wider environment. We isolated hundreds soil bacteria with capacity to grow on sole carbon source. Of 18 tested, representing eight major classes and synthetic origin, 13 17 supported growth clonal from each 11 diverse soils. Bacteria subsisting surprisingly phylogenetically diverse, many closely related human pathogens. Furthermore, antibiotic-consuming isolate was resistant multiple at clinically relevant concentrations. This phenomenon suggests this unappreciated reservoir antibiotic-resistance determinants can contribute increasing levels antibiotic resistance pathogenic bacteria.