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diagnosedwolf t1_iyti09d wrote

Reply to comment by EzBriizee in Scientists discover a novel mechanism used by bacteria to resist treatment with antibiotics. Specifically, streptococcus A. was observed stealing folates from its host to compensate for its own folate production being blocked by sulfamethoxazole (sulfameth). by GravelySilly

Antibiotics kill bacteria in a bunch of different ways. One of those ways is by stopping them producing folates.

Folates are an essential part of DNA production, so without them bacteria can’t replicate.

Unfortunately, humans need folates, too. We get them from our food. These bacteria have developed a way to take folates from their environment like we do, rather than making them in-house.

It’s like if someone was building a shelter and you broke their roof, so they just leaned over and grabbed the roof off your shelter to cover them instead.

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HezFez238 t1_iyvml4w wrote

I like that explanation, too, among others here- stole the materials from my roof makes sense to me

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