A CSIC-led study finds that certain components of breast milk are linked to fewer antibiotic-resistance genes in babies’ gut microbiota.
A CSIC-led study finds that certain components of breast milk are linked to fewer antibiotic-resistance genes in babies’ gut microbiota.
Going back to the original question you asked as I understand it, and I am paraphrasing, “what is the purpose of more antibiotic-susceptible gut bacteria in infants?” I am guessing it’s a numbers game to allow our own gut bacteria to develop a stronger natural resistance in its environment to help them continue on without issue as we get older. Since every body is different, I assume there are many physiological differences that fuck with foreign invaders even if they’ve been in a similar environment elsewhere. That early susceptibility is to allow our specific variant to adapt to the drug with our own nuances that hopefully the invaders haven’t encountered.
I’m just guessing here. I’d have to ask an expert in this field what their theory is.
The interesting thing is increasing antibiotic resistance makes bacteria more susceptible to bacteriophage - viruses for bacteria. The inverse generally applies too, resistance to bacteriophage makes them vulnerable to antibiotics. Quite an interesting balance