What is Antibiotic Resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem in the public health sector, as it is a state that is created through the evolution of bacteria that can no longer be affected by commonly used antibiotics This means that illnesses such as bacterial infections, which can usually be treated with antibiotics, become increasingly difficult to treat as bacteria become more resistant to traditional antibiotics. As a result, bacterial infections become harder to detect and manage, which can lead to dangerous complications, a longer duration of illness, and even death in some cases.
Antibiotic resistance is a major issue, as it is estimated to cause more than 700,000 deaths each year worldwide. In addition, the World Health Organization has noted that the over-prescription and inappropriate use of antibiotics to treat viral conditions such as the common cold is contributing to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it is essential that individuals familiarize themselves with the causes and consequences of antibiotic resistance, in order to help prevent the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
The Five Best Examples of Antibiotic Resistance
1. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): This is a type of Staphylococcus bacteria that has become immune to many common antibiotics, including penicillin and methicillin. This type of bacteria is commonly found in hospitals and nursing homes, and can cause serious skin, lung, and blood infections.
2. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE): This type of bacteria is a species of Enterococcus that has become resistant to vancomycin, which is a powerful antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. VRE can cause serious infections in the urinary tract, the bloodstream, and in the abdomen.
3. Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB): This type of tuberculosis is resistant to at least two of the most commonly used antibiotics for treating the disease. The development of MDR-TB is particularly concerning, as it is potentially fatal and can be passed from person to person.
4. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E): This is a type of bacteria that is resistant to several types of antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins. ESBL-E can cause urinary tract, skin, and other types of infections.
5. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE): This type of bacteria is resistant to carbapenems, which are powerful antibiotics typically used to treat infections caused by resistant bacteria. CRE can cause serious and potentially fatal infections, and can be passed from person to person.