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Ch. 6 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages
Sanders - Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach 3rd Edition
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksSanders 3rd EditionCh. 6 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and BacteriophagesProblem 21c
Chapter 6, Problem 21c

Penicillin was first used in the 1940s to treat gonorrhea infections produced by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In 1984, according to the CDC, fewer than 1% of gonorrhea infections were caused by penicillin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. By 1990, more than 10% of cases were penicillin-resistant, and a few years later the level of resistance was at greater than 95%. Almost every year the CDC issues new treatment guidelines for gonorrhea that identify the recommended antibiotic drugs and dosages.
What are the long-term implications of these frequent changes in treatment recommendations for the patient population?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of antibiotic resistance: Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or inhibit their growth. This is a result of natural selection acting on genetic variations within bacterial populations.
Recognize the role of genetic mutations: Mutations in bacterial DNA can lead to resistance traits, such as the production of enzymes that deactivate antibiotics or changes in cellular structures that prevent antibiotic entry. These mutations can be passed on to subsequent generations or shared between bacteria through horizontal gene transfer.
Analyze the impact of frequent antibiotic changes: Frequent changes in treatment recommendations reflect the ongoing evolution of bacterial resistance. As bacteria adapt to one antibiotic, new drugs must be introduced to combat resistant strains. This cycle can lead to a reduced pool of effective antibiotics over time.
Consider the implications for patient populations: Long-term implications include increased difficulty in treating infections, higher healthcare costs, longer recovery times, and greater risk of complications. Patients may also face limited treatment options as resistance spreads to multiple antibiotics.
Explore strategies to mitigate resistance: Encourage responsible antibiotic use, such as completing prescribed courses and avoiding unnecessary prescriptions. Promote research into new antibiotics and alternative treatments, as well as public health initiatives to monitor and control the spread of resistant bacteria.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to resist the effects of medications that once effectively treated infections. This phenomenon can arise from genetic mutations or the acquisition of resistance genes through horizontal gene transfer. As seen with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the increasing prevalence of penicillin-resistant strains highlights the urgent need for ongoing surveillance and adaptation of treatment protocols to ensure effective management of bacterial infections.
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Treatment Guidelines

Treatment guidelines are systematically developed statements that assist healthcare providers in making decisions about appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances. In the context of gonorrhea, the CDC regularly updates these guidelines to reflect the latest evidence on antibiotic efficacy and resistance patterns. Frequent updates are crucial to ensure that patients receive the most effective treatment, minimizing the risk of complications and further resistance development.
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Public Health Implications

The frequent changes in treatment recommendations have significant public health implications, including the potential for increased healthcare costs, the need for ongoing education for healthcare providers, and the risk of treatment failures. As antibiotic resistance grows, it can lead to more severe infections, longer hospital stays, and higher morbidity rates. Understanding these implications is essential for developing strategies to manage and prevent the spread of resistant infections in the community.
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Textbook Question

A triple-auxotrophic strain of E. coli having the genotype phe⁻ met⁻ ara⁻ is used as a recipient strain in a transduction experiment. The strain is unable to synthesize its own phenylalanine or methionine, and it carries a mutation that leaves it unable to utilize the sugar arabinose for growth. The recipient is crossed to a prototrophic strain with the genotype phe⁺ met⁺ ara⁺. The table below shows the selected marker and gives cotransduction frequencies for the unselected markers.

Identify the compounds present in each of the selective media.

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Textbook Question

Penicillin was first used in the 1940s to treat gonorrhea infections produced by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In 1984, according to the CDC, fewer than 1% of gonorrhea infections were caused by penicillin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. By 1990, more than 10% of cases were penicillin-resistant, and a few years later the level of resistance was at greater than 95%. Almost every year the CDC issues new treatment guidelines for gonorrhea that identify the recommended antibiotic drugs and dosages.

Why is the CDC so active in making these recommendations?

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views
Textbook Question

Penicillin was first used in the 1940s to treat gonorrhea infections produced by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In 1984, according to the CDC, fewer than 1% of gonorrhea infections were caused by penicillin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. By 1990, more than 10% of cases were penicillin-resistant, and a few years later the level of resistance was at greater than 95%. Almost every year the CDC issues new treatment guidelines for gonorrhea that identify the recommended antibiotic drugs and dosages.

What are the short-term implications of these frequent changes for physicians and clinics that treat sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and for individuals infected with gonorrhea?

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Textbook Question

An attribute of growth behavior of eight bacteriophage mutants (1 to 8) is investigated in experiments that establish coinfection by pairs of mutants. The experiments determine whether the mutants complement one another (+) or fail to complement (-). These eight mutants are known to result from point mutation. The results of the complementation tests are shown below.

How many genes are represented by these mutations?

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Textbook Question

An attribute of growth behavior of eight bacteriophage mutants (1 to 8) is investigated in experiments that establish coinfection by pairs of mutants. The experiments determine whether the mutants complement one another (+) or fail to complement (-). These eight mutants are known to result from point mutation. The results of the complementation tests are shown below.

Identify the mutants of each gene.

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Textbook Question

An attribute of growth behavior of eight bacteriophage mutants (1 to 8) is investigated in experiments that establish coinfection by pairs of mutants. The experiments determine whether the mutants complement one another (+) or fail to complement (-). These eight mutants are known to result from point mutation. The results of the complementation tests are shown below.

In each coinfection identified as a failure to complement (−) in the table, researchers see evidence of recombination producing wild-type growth. How do the researchers distinguish between wild-type growth resulting from complementation and wild-type growth that is due to recombination?

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