The Unexpected Effects of the Combination of Antibiotics and Immunity.

Burke, Thomas P · Cell · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

β-lactam antibiotics and immune enzymes, including lysozyme, kill bacteria by rupturing the cell wall. Curiously, their combination can select for viable, wall-less bacteria. Kawai and colleagues describe the molecular details regarding the emergence of these forms, illustrating a novel and potentially clinically relevant mechanism by which bacteria escape killing by antibiotics.

Medical subject headings