Do bacteria conjugate disease?

Bacteria do not “conjugate disease” in the literal sense, but conjugation can contribute to the spread of disease. Through conjugation, bacteria can transfer genes associated with virulence factors, including those for toxin production or antibiotic resistance, to other bacteria. This transfer can enhance the pathogenicity of bacteria, making them more capable of causing disease or becoming resistant to treatment. Thus, conjugation indirectly facilitates the spread of disease through bacterial evolution.