cross-resistance

[ kraws-ri-zis-tuhns, kros- ]

noun

, Biology.

1. immunologic resistance to the pathogenic effects of a microorganism because of previous exposure to another species or type having cross-reactive antigens.
2. resistance to the effects of a substance, as that of an insect population to an insecticide or a bacterial strain to an antibiotic, stimulated by exposure and adaptation to a similar or related substance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cross-resistance¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Bacteria might evolve “cross-resistance” to various antiseptics if mutations that help microbes survive quats also end up protecting them against other antiseptic products or medications, the story suggests.

From Scientific American

Having a drug from a new class is important, because the rise of resistance to one drug from any class — such as fusion inhibitors or reverse transcriptase inhibitors — often creates cross-resistance to all similar drugs.

From Seattle Times

Researchers found that German cockroaches are becoming more difficult to eliminate because they are developing cross-resistance to insecticides.

From Fox News

The population growth was likely the result of cross-resistance, according to the study.

From Fox News

“If even a small percentage of cockroaches is resistant to an insecticide, and those cockroaches gain cross-resistance, a population knocked down by a single treatment could explode again within months,” the statement explains.

From Fox News