“Down with the Resistance!” If you are a fan of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, then you would know this motto rings well with Kylo Ren and the First Order. However, if you’re an aspiring microbiologist, you would know that this message is in regards to antibiotic resistance. You may have even taken the time to do additional research in order to understand more about this topic. In both cases, resistance is the opposite of what you want. Nowadays, antibiotic resistance is a growing concern all around the world. Researchers and scientists are racing to find ways to prevent and solve this dilemma that affects anyone and everyone who uses antibiotics.
Superbugs: The Protectors of Their Generation
As discussed in class, superbugs are bacterial strains that have developed resistance towards antibacterial medications. These superbugs have created many problems in recent years because they hinder the effectiveness of these antibiotics. This resistance can arise from incorrect usage of antibiotics. Moreover, antibiotics should not be used to treat viral infections. Viral infections include the flu and common cold. Using antibiotics when they are not necessary increases the chances for good bacterial cells to be killed off. These bacterial cells were meant to keep the body from succumbing to infection. Now, the bacteria that are left are those that have obtained a mutation that allows them to resist the drug. Without a large number of the good bacteria left, they can increase in number. Therefore, it is vital that we learn how to use antibiotics correctly in order to prevent these resistant bacteria from arising and taking over.
It’s Only the Beginning
According to an article from the ScienceDaily, there is emerging resistance against antibiotics used to treat flesh-eating disease and strep throat. Moreover, a category of bacteria known as group A streptococcus have demonstrated evidence that show that it is growing stronger against beta-lactam antibiotics. Beta-lactam antibiotics include penicillin. This type of bacteria is gram-positive and appears as chains. It has become an international project to look at these strains, namely 7,025 of them. While only 2% of these strains contain gene mutations that lead to antibiotic resistance, it is no laughing matter regarding what these strains are now able to do. It is only the beginning and likely to get worse later on. Researchers are urging for a group A streptococcus vaccine to be created. Antibiotics are supposed to be the best defenders against bacteria and many fear that other therapies won’t be as strong as them.
In my opinion, this finding comes to show how easily bacteria can build resistance to medications that individuals take to fight against something as common as strep throat. It is a frightening notion to think about because all of us have used some sort of antibiotic at some point in our lives. Most of us only think about how these medications make us physically feel. However, at a microbiological view, organisms, such as bacteria, are taking your actions to their advantage because with more contact to these antibiotics, one of the bacterial cells are bound to develop resistance and thrive. It just takes one for this to happen!
In addition, according to an article from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, devices used in hospital settings have greatly contributed to the appearance and distribution of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Moreover, ventilators and catheters that are used on patients have been associated with this issue. In addition, bacterial infections that have resulted after surgery are important to consider as well. Infections resulting from the use of these medical devices and surgery fall into a category known as healthcare-associated infections. Out of the healthcare-associated infections, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli appeared the most frequently. For example, vancomycin does not seem to have any effect on about 80% of Enterococcus faecium involved in healthcare-associated infections. In addition, fluoroquinolone is not as effective against E. coli as it used to be. Adults have shown to be more susceptible to these resistant bacteria because they have used antibiotics longer than children have.
Knowing that these resistant bacteria have the potential to be passed around through medical devices, such as ventilators and catheters, does not make me feel any better than I did before about antibiotic resistant organisms. This highlights the importance of aseptic technique in the surgery rooms in the hospital setting. It is vital that these resistant bacteria are prevented from spreading to individuals in the hospital who are already immunosuppressed. Moreover, this also highlights the fact that bacteria are growing more and more resistant every day and that proper use of antibiotics needs to be implemented now more than ever. Let’s not let the discovery of antibiotics be in vain.
Melanie Nguyen's Microbiology Blog 