Resistance to quorum sensing inhibition spreads more slowly during host infection than antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a rising problem and new and sustainable strategies to combat bacterial (intestinal) infections are therefore urgently needed. One promising strategy under intense investigation is the inhibition of quorum sensing, bacterial cell-to-cell communication with small molecules. A key question with respect to the application of quorum sensing inhibition is whether it will impose selective pressure for the spread of resistance. It was recently shown that resistance to quorum sensing inhibition will spread more slowly during infection of a host than resistance to traditional antibiotics.