Scientists recently
discovered a mutually beneficial relationship occurring between bacterial
strains: cross protection. In a new study, researchers grew two types of E.
coli, each resistant to a different antibiotic, in the same test tube. The environment
also contained the two antibiotics to which the strains were resistant. Instead
of being eliminated, both bacteria deactivated “their” antibiotic, providing protection
for the other strain. While not occurring in this study, experts suspect that, over
time, this stable environment could lead to the exchange of resistance genes –
making both strains of bacteria resistant to both antibiotics.
Listen to Scientific American's podcast about it here.
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