Diphtheria: identification of a penicillin resistance gene

Before the vaccine era, diphtheria was the most deadly respiratory infection in young children. There are still outbreaks of diphtheria in some world regions and cases can occur among unvaccinated individuals, with severe consequences. Antibiotics are vital in treating diphtheria, and the emergence of antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern. A team of Institut Pasteur scientists has identified the origins of penicillin resistance in the bacterial agent responsible for diphtheria.

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