A Review on the Influencing Factors of Antibiotic Tolerance

Antibiotics are secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms or higher organisms that can interfere with the growth of other cells and are used to treat infections caused by pathogenic microbes. With the global surge in antibiotic usage, antibiotic resistance has become a widely recognized concern. However, antibiotic tolerance—where bacteria survive under antibiotic pressure by slowing metabolism and entering dormancy, only to resuscitate after antibiotic removal and cause recurrent infections—has received insufficient attention. Unlike resistance, where bacteria maintain reproductive ability,Tolerant bacteria are characterized by their ability to survive antibiotic exposure without undergoing growth or death. Misuse or overuse of antibiotics intensifies both antimicrobial resistance and tolerance, presenting a significant challenge to public health. This review aims to elucidate the concept, mechanisms, and significance of antibiotic tolerance and emphasizes the urgency of further research in this field.