Resistance redefined: Exploring symbiotic networks in microbial survival

Abstract

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance poses a profound global health challenge that extends beyond classical models of mutation and antibiotic selection. In this context, the Resistance Symbiosis Hypothesis is proposed to suggest that bacteria enhance their resistance capabilities through symbiotic relationships with other microorganisms, including fungi and viruses. This perspective introduces a broader ecological framework for understanding antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing cooperation and interdependence within microbial communities rather than isolated bacterial adaptation.

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