Evolution Under Thermal Stress Affects Escherichia colis Resistance to Antibiotics

Exposure to both antibiotics and temperature changes can induce similar physiological responses in bacteria. Thus, changes in growth temperature may affect antibiotic resistance. Previous studies have found that evolution under antibiotic stress causes shifts in the optimal growth temperature of bacteria. However, little is known about how evolution under thermal stress affects antibiotic resistance. We examined 100+ heat-evolved strains of Escherichia coli that evolved under thermal stress. We asked whether evolution under thermal stress affects optimal growth temperature, if there are any correlations between evolving in high temperatures and antibiotic resistance, and if these strains antibiotic efficacy changes depending on the local environments temperature. We found that: (1) surprisingly, most of the heat-evolved strains displayed a decrease in optimal growth temperature and overall growth relative to the ancestor strain, (2) there were complex patterns of changes in antibiotic resistance when comparing the heat-evolved strains to the ancestor strain, and (3) there were few significant correlations among changes in antibiotic resistance, optimal growth temperature, and overall growth. ImportanceEscherichia coli, a bacteria species often found within the intestinal tract of warm-blooded organisms, can be harmful to humans. Like all species of bacteria, E. coli can evolve, particularly in the presence of stressful conditions such as extreme temperatures or antibiotic treatments. Recent evidence suggests that when encountering one source of stress, an organisms ability to deal with a different source of stress is also affected. With global climate change and the continued evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the need to further investigate how temperature and antibiotics interact is clear. The significance of our research is in identifying possible correlations between temperature and antibiotic stress, broadening our understanding of how stressors affect organisms, and allowing for insights into possible future evolutionary pathways.