a strain of e. coli has been exposed to low levels of an antibiotic. the small number of remaining bacteria after this treatment results in a pathogen population that is more resistant to the antibiotic than prior to the treatment. as these bacteria replicate, they pass this resistance profile to their daughter cells. this type of antibiotic resistance transmission is considered

In communal settings, acquired resistance can develop by horizontal gene transfer between bacteria, vertical transmission between mother and child at birth and during nursing, or spontaneously as a result of antibiotic exposure. The establishment of the newborn's gut microbiome occurs mostly through vertical transmission of maternal microorganisms. It is unclear how prenatal drugs affect vertical transmission of germs and microbial resistance. Resistance is acquired by bacteria by mutations in genes engaged in regular processes, which can result in either vertical or horizontal gene transfer. Although spontaneous gene mutations for antibiotic resistance are uncommon, bacteria with rapid growth rates can develop a resistant population quickly.

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