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Walk the Even Hospital Database by book and chapter — the raw source passages that ground Ask, DDx, and the rest.
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Bacterial genomes are single, double-stranded, circular DNA molecules approximately 4,000 kb in length and are regulated by operons. A mutation is a change in the nucleotide sequence and can create new cellular functions or lead to the dysfunction of existing ones. Mutations can occur spontaneously or be caused by exposure to mutation-inducing agents.[1]
Infectious disease specialists, both clinicians and pharmacists, need to understand the mechanisms by which bacteria can undergo DNA mutations, as these mutations can confer resistance against agents that were previously effective. By understanding the mechanism and carefully tracking with antibiograms, antimicrobial therapy can be targeted for maximum effectiveness without contributing to mutations that create "superbugs." This led to better antibiotic therapy, improving patient outcomes, reducing adverse events, and reducing the need for ever-stronger broad-spectrum drugs.