Antibiotic Resistance Lab

When a bacteria is exposed to antibiotics, they are not always guaranteed to die. This is called antibiotic resistance. Sometimes antibiotics can only stop the bacteria from multiplying (make it stagnate), and other times it causes the bacteria to multiply even more. These three results depend on antibiotic concentration, bacterial mutation, and bacterial genetic exchange.

Antibiotics are powerful very frequently used potential drugs in fighting bacterial infections worldwide, [1]. These agents saved millions of lives in the past fifty years in both hospital-based and outpatient settings. Inadequate measures to control the spreading of infections, overprescribing as well as inappropriate selection and dosing of antibiotics by healthcare providers, unfettered access to antimicrobials by public, failure to adhere to clinically desired treatment regimens are some of the driving force to spread of antibiotics resistance, [2]. In addition, lack of regulations to promote the rational use of antibiotics in humans, infection prevention and control are some of the other factors that lead to emergence of resistance to antibiotics, [3].

In today’s society it has become apparent that “antibiotic-resistant superbugs are the world’s greatest threat to humans now, and into the future. (UQ contact, 2015). In recent years’ bacteria and superbugs have adapted to resist multiple antibiotics including the last line drugs, causing large concern among the medical industry. Staphylococcus aureus, otherwise known as golden staph is a fine example of an antibiotic resistant superbug. Golden staph is becoming more excessively resistant to the most powerful of antibiotics, due to the excessive use of antibiotics the bacteria has mutated drug resistant strains, causing havoc among Australian hospitals.

One environment where bacteria are regularly exposed to antibiotics is in large livestock operations, where producers very often treat their cows and other animals with drugs to prevent epidemics in the unsanitary and overcrowded conditions, which are common in the livestock industry. The simple reason for this is that in the short term it is cheaper to drug up the animals with antibiotics than to keep a clean living environment for them. Another big reason for these producers to drug up the animals is the fact that feeding antibiotics to the livestock makes for larger animals. The problem occurs when bacteria in these animals survive the bombardment of antibiotics, and some always do, the

WebMD . 2009. Webster's New World Medical Dictionary [Internet]. 3. Wiley; [Cited 2015 Dec 1] Available from: http://www.csu.eblib.com/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=416239

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has recently noted several model antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains with redesigned capabilities in pathogenesis, transmission and resistance. These several strains, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species, have been given the acronym-based title of the ESKAPE Pathogens. These strains of bacteria compromise one of the biggest threats faced by physicians today not because of the infectious and devastating illnesses they lead to, but because of their ability to resist antibiotics in the healthcare setting. Failure for industries, academia and government to cooperate and develop research/development operations has left healthcare providers one-step behind in the fight against these new brands of infectious diseases. A lack of research/development operations has left the healthcare industry with antiquated antibiotics no longer capable of targeting and eradicating these microorganisms in human systems.

The main hospital strains are already partially or fully resistant to the effects of commonly used antibiotics. Resistance is also emerging to last resort drugs like vancomycin. The more virulent community strains of MRSA are infiltrating hospitals while the more resistant hospital strain is leaking into the community. The history of MRSA as described in Superbug shows how quickly bacteria can evolve when we add a strong selective force like antibiotics. Around the world, species of bacteria are becoming “superbugs” that are resistant to conventional treatments. Pharmaceutical companies are cutting research on new antibiotics in favor of more profitable investments. We are quickly running out of options for treating multi-drug resistant bacteria. As we move toward a “post-antibiotic” world, there are valuable lessons to be found in the history of MRSA, one of the first superbugs. Students in Emerging Diseases should read Superbug to learn about the complex emergence of

Our global society is a fragile network, which is easily shaken and superbugs have the ability to damage society in the future. The rates of drug resistant bacteria infecting the community and people in hospital have been increasing at high rates in the recent years (Infectious Diseases 2005). A big concern for the spread of these superbugs is within hospitals. Their immense hygiene routines are vital to prevent the spread of bacteria and dangerous illnesses, yet this is where superbugs are most likely to be picked up. As the hospitals hygiene levels are increased more and more each year, only the strongest bacteria survive (Staines 2008). With over 1 billion people travelling overseas a year the spread of superbugs is rapid. Joel Beclu, an Australian who had recently been overseas had a prostate biopsy procedure done. The next day he was feeling ill and realised he had caught an infection and was back in hospital. After evaluation it was found the procedure had unleashed a superbug into his blood stream. The infection spread over his body and he experienced extreme pain. He was put on a rare course of antibiotics and recovered after a few months. This is a real concern as these superbugs infect other people in the hospital or can get out into the community they could be unstoppable (Thompson

The world health organisation has announced antibiotic resistance and the rise of superbugs as a great threat to human race. Superbugs are defined as bacteria equipped bacteria with "bullet proof vests” of antibiotic resistance that deflect "magic silver bullets" of antibiotics. Under right circumstances, they can transfer the antibiotic resistance genes to other bacteria and completely paralyse humans to combat against bacteria (news.com.au 2014). In Australia, thousands of people per year are diagnosed with superbugs and these victims often face a prolonged illness and ultimately death (Pogson 2012). The severity of the problem can become apparent by referring to the death attributable to antibiotic resistance every year from 2014 to 2050,

There was another area of testing, in which we tested the effectiveness of common household spices on bacteria and yeast. My group tested Paprika, which showed to have no effect on the Serratia. There was a lab-malfunction, in which we tested Serratia twice, which inhibit the results of Paprika on yeast. However, other groups tested different spices/food which showed to be very effective; vinegar and honey (on Serratia), and garlic for both bacteria and yeast.

Widespread use of antibiotics has been very controversial in the media as well in the general population. Due to these controversies, it is very misunderstood to how antibiotics work leading to many patients in the hospital setting wanting to take them when it is not necessary or refusing to take when it is necessary for their survival. Some of this controversy is due to antibiotic resistance, which has spread an alarming rate in the 21st century (Walsh, 2000). Antibiotic resistance is the result of very strong bacteria or microbes that are resistant to the antibiotic prescribed and those microbes accumulate overtime by their survival, reproduction and transfer, leading to increased levels of antibiotic resistance.

New Haven Health (Yale). (n.d.).Healthcare Associated Infections and the Prevention and Control of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO). Retrieved from http://www.ynhh.org/vSiteManager/Upload/Images/Professionals/MDRO.pdf

The use of the healthcare system as a whole is largely determined by the cost incurred by the patient, as well as insurance companies within the healthcare system. As for combating the growth of antibiotic resistance, it might be beneficial to increase the cost of antibiotics so that they are used only when clinically appropriate. This, however, would lead to a decrease in access to patients who might actually need these forms of treatment and who are unable to afford them. Additionally, increasing the cost of treatment options may cause there to be a delay or abandonment of therapy. While neither of these options may be ideal to patients, and even the healthcare system as a whole, the consideration of their use may aid in lowering the prevalence of antibiotic resistance.

It is undeniable that the recent discovery of antibiotics and disinfectants in the past century is leading to the creation of increasingly dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Super bugs like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus have begun breaking out in hospital areas, killing more and more patients due to the lack of people following through with simple safety measures. In order to stop the creation and spread of antibiotic-resistant super bugs, proper precautions must be taken such as avoiding antibacterial cleaners, following through with instructions when taking prescriptions and maintaining adequate hand hygiene. Through adhering to basic safety rules, the creation and spread of super bugs can be minimized and all together

Flues, colds, and diseases flow in and out through all seasons of the year. The illnesses caused many patients to go to the doctors and to get help. In return, the patients will likely get antibiotics prescribed by the doctors. Antibiotics are drugs or a type of medicine that will prevent or inhibit bacteria which is causing the infection. Many people think that antibiotics can completely cure their infection by taking them, but many people do not realize the importance of antibiotic resistance and the evolution of bacteria.