Antibiotic Resistance

Hello!

This week’s topic will be on antibiotic resistance. I want to discuss the serious concerns that I have with superbugs and ways to slow the effects of antibiotic resistance. First off, a superbug is a strain of bacteria that has evolved over time to develop antibiotic resistance. This means that at one time antibiotics did have an effect in stopping the spread of this bacteria, but now they have little to no effect. According to an article in Medical News Today, one reason why these bacteria have adapted to antibiotics may be due to their overuse. In our society, people are quick to jump the gun and ask for antibiotics when they feel ill; however, it is important to note that if you don’t have a bacterial/fungal infection, antibiotics are no use to you. The consistent prescription of these medications have led to an increased evolution of antibiotic resistant microbes. Doctors are required to take the time to assess their patients and give them the correct medication. When you take antibiotics for an illness due to a viral infection, it is no use! It harms you by wiping out all the bacteria in your system that is affected by the antibiotic, leaving behind the few strands that were resistant. Then through natural selection, they replicate and over time can create a fully developed strand of antibiotic resistance. This realization is very frightening because if this antibiotic resistance continues to develop further, we will experience a period like the early 1900s where people died from common illnesses that antibiotics fight today. 

The CDC has released information on urgent threat bacteria to raise awareness on the development of these bacteria and who they primarily affect. In my microbiology class, we have learned about carbapenem antibiotics. These antibiotics target a wide range of gram-negative and positive bacteria. They are usually used as a last resort due to their side effects and to slow the process of antibiotic resistance. With this being said, an urgent threat to our population is the new Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter. This bacteria can cause infection in the blood, urinary tract, and lungs (causing pneumonia). This bacteria is multi drug resistant even to carbapenems. People in the healthcare settings are most at risk. This is because they are already immunocompromised and are at risk due to being on ventilators, having catheters, or having open wounds. This gives easy access to bacteria to infect. There has been an increase in mortality rate due to the resistance in these drugs. This should raise great concern in the general public to help slow the rate of resistance in germs by taking the appropriate measures when fighting disease.  

There has also been antibiotic resistant bacteria do to the use of antibiotics in farm animals. Salmonella is an example we have also discussed in my microbiology class that has continued to have more antibiotic resistance due to its use in farming. According to the CDC, when these animals are consistently given antibiotics, the animals harbor resistant bacteria like salmonella where it can freely evolve and grow. We consume this bacteria if our food isn’t cooked properly, and we also drink it if our water becomes contaminated. According to my professor Dr. Crammer, meat is often sold with a “antibiotic free” label, but unfortunately, around the time of sale, the antibiotics are simply out of their system for those two weeks prior. These animals could have been raised with this consistent use their whole lives but still sold under this label because no antibiotic use would be detected at that given time of sale. Farm animals are commonly given antibiotics to preserve their health and also make them heavier so they are worth more in the time of sale. People are going to become ill for longer periods of time, become hospitalized causing them great debt, or die from infections we were able to control before if containment is not accomplished. This process can be slowed dramatically if we take the precautions necessary to make that change. Being informed about what you eat and what medications you are on is vital in slowing this crisis.