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 o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | npj Antimicrobials and Resistance |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00076-5 |
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| author | Linna Xu Xiaofen Mo Hui Zhang Fen Wan Qixia Luo Yonghong Xiao |
| author_facet | Linna Xu Xiaofen Mo Hui Zhang Fen Wan Qixia Luo Yonghong Xiao |
| author_sort | Linna Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 clinical impact of heteroresistance. This review underscores the critical importance of understanding and addressing bacterial heteroresistance in the ongoing fight against antibiotic resistance and infectious diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b35e701c71984be9af9cf1777b5f5369 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-8745 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Antimicrobials and Resistance |
| spelling | doaj-art-b35e701c71984be9af9cf1777b5f53692025-02-02T12:44:24ZengNature Portfolionpj Antimicrobials and Resistance2731-87452025-01-01311910.1038/s44259-025-00076-5Epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical impact of bacterial heteroresistanceLinna Xu0Xiaofen Mo1Hui Zhang2Fen Wan3Qixia Luo4Yonghong Xiao5State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Rescarch Center for Infectious Diseases, China-Singapore Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Infection Research and Drug Development, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Rescarch Center for Infectious Diseases, China-Singapore Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Infection Research and Drug Development, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Rescarch Center for Infectious Diseases, China-Singapore Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Infection Research and Drug Development, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineSchool of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Hangzhou Medical CollegeState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Rescarch Center for Infectious Diseases, China-Singapore Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Infection Research and Drug Development, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineState Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Rescarch Center for Infectious Diseases, China-Singapore Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Infection Research and Drug Development, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineAbstract 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 clinical impact of heteroresistance. This review underscores the critical importance of understanding and addressing bacterial heteroresistance in the ongoing fight against antibiotic resistance and infectious diseases.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00076-5 |
| spellingShingle | Linna Xu Xiaofen Mo Hui Zhang Fen Wan Qixia Luo Yonghong Xiao Epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical impact of bacterial heteroresistance npj Antimicrobials and Resistance |
| title | Epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical impact of bacterial heteroresistance |
| title_full | Epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical impact of bacterial heteroresistance |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical impact of bacterial heteroresistance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical impact of bacterial heteroresistance |
| title_short | Epidemiology, mechanisms, and clinical impact of bacterial heteroresistance |
| title_sort | epidemiology mechanisms and clinical impact of bacterial heteroresistance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00076-5 |
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