Antibiotic resistance vs. virulence in the context of bacterial fitness dialectics

Abstract

The rapid expansion of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria is perceived as a global threat to humanity, which causes significant damage to human health and leads to huge economic losses. Antibiotic resistance is a multifaceted phenomenon, one of which manifests in the form of bacterial fitness. Bacterial fitness refers to the capacity of bacteria to optimize their metabolism in order to prioritize functions that enhance their ability to reproduce, especially in specific environmental conditions. The objective of this review is to present a comprehensive analysis, based on extensive observations, of the reciprocal influence between two important characteristics of bacteria: antibiotic resistance and virulence. The review describes the main methodological approaches used to assess bacterial fitness. The analysis of various forms of multidirectional fitness effects in antibiotic-resistant bacteria is conducted, and an exploration of the fundamental principles underlying their genetic foundation is presented. Suggestions are made for the practical application of assessing the fitness abilities of bacterial pathogens.