Why is Horizontal Gene Transfer Important in Epidemiology?
HGT is crucial in the field of epidemiology for several reasons:
Antibiotic Resistance: It facilitates the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacterial populations, posing a significant challenge to public health. Virulence Factors: It can transfer genes that enhance pathogenicity, increasing the severity of infections. Genetic Diversity: HGT contributes to the genetic diversity of microbial populations, affecting the dynamics of disease outbreaks.
