What is "antibiotic resistance"?

Antibiotic resistance refers to the phenomenon where bacteria evolve and develop the ability to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or inhibit their growth. This resistance occurs through various mechanisms, including genetic mutations or acquiring resistance genes from other bacteria. As a result, infections caused by these resistant bacteria become more difficult to treat, leading to longer-lasting illnesses, higher medical costs, and increased risk of mortality.

Understanding antibiotic resistance is crucial in veterinary medicine because it can significantly impact treatment outcomes for both human and animal patients. The use of antibiotics should be carefully monitored and prescribed only when necessary to minimize the development of resistance.

The other options do not accurately define antibiotic resistance. Increased effectiveness of antibiotics against bacteria does not represent resistance; it's the opposite of what occurs. Resistance to viral infections pertains to a different mechanism altogether and isn't related to antibiotics, as antibiotics specifically target bacterial infections. Similarly, the concept of immunity is not synonymous with antibiotic resistance; it refers to an organism's capability to recognize and fend off pathogens, typically through a complex interaction of immune cells and antibodies, rather than the adaptive characteristics of bacteria in response to antibiotics.