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Antimicrobial (Drug) Resistance

Gene Transfer

Diagram showing how gene transfer facilitates the spread of drug resistance. Bacteria multiply by the billions. Bacteria that have drug resistant DNA may transfer a copy of these genes to other bacteria. Non-resistant bacteria recieve the new DNA and become resistant to drugs. In the presence of drugs, only drug-resistant bacteria survive. The drug resistant bacteria multiply and thrive.
Credit: NIAID

Go to the illustration: What is Drug Resistance?
Go to the illustration: Mutation Causes Drug Resistance

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