Horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of resistance and virulence determinants in Streptococcus

摘要

Horizontal gene transfer enables bacteria to evolve rapidly by the acquisition of novel determinants that may differ significantly from those previously resident within the genome. Although there are many selective pressures upon clinically importantbacteria, that with the biggest impact over the past SO years has been the worldwide consumption of antibiotics. This has driven the development of antibiotic resistance in many different species of bacteria. However, for pathogenic bacteria, confrontation with the human immune system has been an on-going battle since these organisms first invaded their hosts, and as with the development of antibiotic resistance the challenges of the human environment have resulted in some radical genetic engineering.