How do Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria survive antibiotic treatment?

Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria survive by changing their outer fat coating, making their membranes more rigid and harder for antibiotics to penetrate.

Why are dormant TB bacteria harder to kill than active ones?

Dormant TB bacteria have a more rigid outer membrane that acts as a stronger barrier, requiring 2 to 10 times higher drug concentrations to be effective.

What did IIT Bombay researchers discover about TB drug resistance?

IIT Bombay researchers found that the lipid composition of bacterial membranes actively helps TB bacteria survive and resist drugs, rather than genetic mutations.

Home / Health / TB Bacteria Evade Drugs With Fat Coat Trick

TB Bacteria Evade Drugs With Fat Coat Trick

3 Dec

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Summary

Bacteria survive antibiotics by altering their outer fat coating.
Dormant TB cells require 2-10 times more drugs to kill.
Weakening the bacteria's outer membrane could improve drug efficacy.

Tuberculosis bacteria possess a remarkable ability to survive antibiotic treatment by modifying their outer lipid coating, according to research from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. This adaptive strategy allows the bacteria to persist even with effective drugs and vaccination efforts. The study highlights that dormant bacteria are particularly resilient, requiring two to ten times higher drug concentrations compared to active ones.

The key to this drug tolerance lies in the bacteria's complex membranes, which are primarily composed of fats. Researchers observed distinct differences between active and dormant cells' membranes; active bacteria have fluid membranes, while dormant ones exhibit rigid, tightly packed structures. This rigid outer layer serves as a primary defense, significantly impeding antibiotic penetration.

These findings suggest new therapeutic approaches by targeting the bacteria's protective fatty coat. Weakening this outer membrane could re-sensitize bacteria to existing antibiotics, potentially making even older drugs more effective. This innovative strategy aims to improve treatment outcomes and circumvent the development of permanent antibiotic resistance.