Bacterial Heterogeneity and Antibiotic Survival: Understanding and Combatting Persistence and Heteroresistance (Molecular Cell)

Population heterogeneity generates phenotypes specialized in surviving antibiotic attacks. Persistence and heteroresistance are examples of such heterogeneity that can lead to treatment failure. However, the presence of antibiotic-insensitive subpopulations is not considered when initiating treatment. We here discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in these phenomena, their clinical importance, and possible therapeutic strategies.