Final answer:
The process by which resistance to one type of drug confers resistance to a similar drug is called cross-resistance. Mechanisms for drug resistance include enzymatic drug inactivation, target modification, and target mimicry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Resistance to only one type of drug may allow resistance to a similar drug. This process is called cross-resistance.
There are multiple mechanisms for drug resistance, including enzymatic modification or inactivation of the drug, target modification, prevention of drug penetration or accumulation, target overproduction or enzymatic bypass, and target mimicry. For example, ß-lactamases provide resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics by breaking the ß-lactam ring within the drug molecule. Similarly, resistance genes can cause structural changes to antibiotic targets such as penicillin-binding proteins to provide resistance to multiple ß-lactam drugs.
Common Mechanisms of Drug Resistance
- Enzymatic drug modification or inactivation
- Prevention of cellular uptake or efflux
- Target modification
- Target overproduction or enzymatic bypass
- Target mimicry