Tetracycline resistance

Tetracycline resistance occurs when bacteria develop mechanisms to survive despite the presence of the antibiotic tetracycline, which usually kills or inhibits bacterial growth. This can happen through genetic changes that produce proteins which block tetracycline from entering the bacteria, pump it out once inside, or alter the bacteria’s internal targets so the drug no longer works. These adaptations make infections harder to treat with tetracycline and can spread between bacteria, contributing to the broader challenge of antibiotic resistance.