Researchers have discovered that bacteria that cause respiratory infections can be affected by air pollution and change the effectiveness of antibiotics, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.
The University of Leicester study looked into how air pollution affects the bacteria living in the nose, throat and lungs.
The research showed black carbon alters the antibiotic tolerance of Staphylococcus aureus and increases the resistance of communities of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin.
The study also found that black carbon caused Streptococcus pneumoniae to spread from the nose to the lower respiratory tract.
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