What difference does it make if a bacterial cell or two acquires antibiotic resistance?
The overwhelming majority of bacteria are not only helpful to us but necessary for our good health. This preponderance of good bacteria means that there are fewer spaces available for harmful (pathogenic – disease causing) bacteria to occupy and enormous competition for the limited nutrients available. Consequently, it’s tough for bad bacteria to gain a foothold and to exist in large numbers – special conditions must usually occur in order for such a thing to happen. One such special condition is the loss of competition for space and food. Since antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria alike, if there is a disease-causing bacterial cell that happens to be resistant to an antibiotic, and most of the good bacteria are killed – this antibiotic resistant bad bacterium now has a significantly better competitive advantage. This strain may now increase in number, gain a foothold and cause disease – and all members of this strain will be resistant to at least one antibiotic that could kill
