Within-host bacterial growth dynamics with both mutation and horizontal gene transfer

The evolution and emergence of antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern. understanding the within-host microbial dynamics combining mutational processes, horizontal gene transfer resource consumption, one keys to solving this problem. We analyze generic model rigorously describe interactions four bacterial strains: fully sensitive drug, with only, plasmidic both resistances. By defining thresholds numbers (i.e. each strain’s effective reproduction transition threshold numbers), we first express conditions for existence non-trivial stationary states. find that these mainly depend on bacteria quantitative traits such as nutrient consumption ability, growth conversion factor, death rate, mutation (forward or reverse), segregational loss plasmid probabilities (for plasmid-bearing strains). Next, concerning order in set numbers, show qualitative range from extinction all strains, coexistence strains at equilibrium. Finally, go through some applications our general analysis depending whether interact without drug action (either cytostatic cytotoxic).