Targeting the resistance genes specifically could be a potentialsolution
According to this study from NCBI, the two separate resistantstrains of Y. pestis in Madagascar was not an isolated phenomenon,and could indicate a serious threat to public health. There isconcern that another fatal plague epidemic is a very seriouspossibility and our current methods of treatment with antibioticswill not be effective. It is interesting to me that the resistantstrains carry the resistance genes on the same plasmid that waslikely acquired via conjugation. Would it be possible to attackthis gene specifically through various gene therapy techniquesinstead of treating the pathogen via broad- or narrow-spectrumbactericidal antibiotics?
