Following are true of transferable drug resistance except :
**Core Concept**
Transferable drug resistance refers to the ability of bacteria to acquire resistance genes from other bacteria through horizontal gene transfer, resulting in the simultaneous resistance to multiple antibiotics. This type of resistance is a significant concern in clinical settings, as it can lead to the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Transferable drug resistance is often mediated by plasmids, which are small, self-replicating circular DNA molecules that can carry multiple resistance genes. When bacteria acquire these plasmids, they become resistant to multiple antibiotics simultaneously. The virulence of the bacteria remains unchanged, as the resistance genes do not affect their pathogenicity. However, the use of drug combinations is not a reliable method to prevent transferable drug resistance, as the resistance genes can be transferred to other bacteria, rendering the combination ineffective.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Multiple drug resistance simultaneously is actually a hallmark of transferable drug resistance, making this statement true.
* **Option B:** The virulence of bacteria with transferable drug resistance remains the same, as the resistance genes do not affect their pathogenicity, making this statement true.
* **Option D:** Transferable drug resistance can indeed result in a very high degree of resistance, making this statement true.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that transferable drug resistance can be transferred between bacteria through conjugation, transformation, or transduction, making it a significant concern in clinical settings.
**β Correct Answer: C. Prevented by drug combinations**