Mycoplasmas under experimental antimicrobial selection: The unpredicted contribution of horizontal chromosomal transfer

Researchers from IHAP and their colleagues at ANSES and the University of Melbourne have demonstrated that some mycoplasmas have the capacity to exchange virtually any part of their genome via a form of sexual behavior. This was further shown to play a role in accelerating the acquisition of chromosomal mutations conferring antimicrobial resistance in ruminant, pathogenic Mycoplasmas. 
Faucher M., Nouvel LX, Dordet-Frisoni E, Sagné E, Baranowski E, Hygonenq MC, Marenda MS, Tardy F, Citti C.  under experimental antimicrobial selection: The unpredicted contribution of horizontal chromosomal transfer. PLoS Genet. 2019 Jan 22;15(1):e1007910. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007910. eCollection 2019 Jan.