heteroresistens
Heteroresistens, also called heteroresistance, is a phenomenon in microbial populations in which a clonal population contains a subpopulation with higher resistance to an antimicrobial agent than the majority. Standard susceptibility testing may therefore classify the overall population as susceptible even though a minority can withstand drug concentrations that inhibit the main population.
Origins and mechanisms are diverse. The resistant subpopulation can arise from gene amplification, chromosomal mutations in
Detection and challenges are notable. Conventional susceptibility tests may miss heteroresistance, because they reflect the dominant
Clinical implications are significant. Heteroresistance can contribute to treatment failure, relapse, and the need for alternative