The Challenges Of Bacterial Resistance And Natural Antibiotics

There is a huge need for antibacterial drugs as infectious diseases are the second leading cause of death worldwide and the third leading cause of death in developed countries (Projan, 2003). Over the past 60-70 years, most antibiotics have been discovered by screening of soil samples for natural products that kill bacteria, including known pathogens, first on culture plates and then in animal infections (Walsh, 2000). There are three proven targets for the main antibacterial drugs, bacterial cell all biosynthesis, bacterial protein synthesis, and bacterial DNA replication and

The general populace of western civilization may believe that modern medicine is limitless and that numerous afflictions that are common can be easily resolved with the major strides medicine has taken in the past century. In the case of antibiotics, this couldn’t be farther from the truth and its use leaves a nasty prospect for the future. Antibiotics, the type of drug that is capable of killing harmful bacteria, is widely regarded as a simple gift from medical research and is expected to be prescribed for even the mildest of illnesses. However, the use of antibiotics has proved that it comes with a terrible byproduct: leftover bacteria that survives the drug and evolves strains that are resistant to the drugs the world currently

As previously discussed, antibiotics often work by targeting critical functions of the bacterial cell. This means that antibiotics have specific targets, which is a boon because it means non-microbial life will not be affected by the antibiotics. However, because of this specificity, bacteria can develop ways of protecting themselves from antibiotics, leading to the rise of antibiotic resistance

This “antibiotic boom” was, to put it lightly, one of the most significant advancements in human history. But there is a slight problem. Unlike virtually all other technological innovations, antibiotics become less effective the more they are used. They are unique in this regard.

These mutations, no matter what process that has led to their occurrence, block the action of antibiotics by interfering with their mechanism of action (1). Currently, antibiotics attack bacteria through one of two mechanisms. In both mechanisms the antibiotic enters the microbe and interferes with production of the components needed to form new bacterial cells. Some antibiotics act on the cell membrane, causing increased permeability and leakage of cell contents. Other antibiotics interfere with protein synthesis in cells. They block one or more of the steps involved in the transformation of nucleic acids into proteins.

Antibiotics has played a huge role in the field of medicine since it was first discovered in 1928. Antibiotics are antimicrobial drug that kills or inhibits growth of diseases which prevents many illnesses. However, in the past decade, Antibiotic resistant bacteria has become the world’s latest pandemic. Many strains of bacteria have adapted and developed resistance against antibiotics. According to the CDC, “at least two million people are infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections.” (CDC) This is a problem because antibiotics are the number one defense tactics against bacterial infections. Without this line of defense, people vulnerable to bacteria growth which can cause problems in health.

Antibiotic have been essential tools for fight against bacterial infections since the early 20th century. Antibiotics fall under different groups based on the method of treatment. There are basically 3 main groups of antibiotics based on their mechanism of action, i.e Cell wall Disruptive Antibiotics like beta lactams, Protein synthesis inhibitors and nucleic acid

Antibiotics have always been considered a prodigious innovation. Antibiotics being introduced have established resistance in individuals, animals, and all living organisms. Antibiotics were first discovered in 1932 by Alexandar Fleming, who presented the work that led to production of penicillin. His determination has made an impact to antibiotic medications that are used to destroy bacteria. The use of antibiotics resulted with successful treatments by saving lives. However, some bacteria have now been resistant to antibiotics. The resistant bacteria are not killed nor controlled by antibiotics, they can continue to live and increase. (Cowen 2002). Watsmen described an “antibiotic as a complex compound that has been produced by a microbe that kills or stops the growth of another microbe.”

Pencil #5: After 24 hours, Agar Plate #5 had some bacterial bubbles. The onion in it turned a little bit soft.

Only a few decades ago antibiotics was a wonder drug that could cure even the most deadly diseases. Presently, numerous antibiotics have become less effective or potent to against the bacterial infections. This is due to the high effectiveness and how frequently they were used to treat diseases. Serious infections have become resistant to the commonly used antibiotics have caused a major global healthcare concern for not only the present, but also the future. These bacterial infections require more serious and long term treatments, meaning they are usually more expensive and difficult to treat. The “post-antibiotic era” is significant issue that is affecting the way doctors treat bacterial infections, furthermore the steps to slow the process

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections in both humans and animals however the overuse and inappropriate prescription of antibiotics has caused a worldwide concern in antibiotic resistance (FDA, 2015). Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria is able to evolve in such a way enabling the bacteria to survive in the conditions it is in, consequently causing antibiotics being ineffective to the patient (CDC, 2013). Due to this issue implementations and actions have been taken to aid in the reduction of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when antibiotics are no longer effective in controlling bacterial growth. The phenomenon of antibiotic resistance can be explained by the processes of selective pressure in which the strongest strains of bacteria survive antibiotic therapy, resulting in "superbugs" that are resistant to almost every type of antibiotic available for use (Davies & Davies, 2010). Because of this, certain bacterial infections are evolving that have no effective treatments. This resistance creates a threat to the common medicinal practices of today and can be seen as a global problem; perhaps one of the world's most serious problems. The issue of antibiotic resistance is emerging rapidly as a result of a myriad of uniformed practices and misuse of antibiotics.

Several antibiotics known to man have been already discovered since the 1940’s, in which most of it are obtained from natural sources (Chaeychomsri et al., 2010). Synthesizing large amounts of antibiotics nowadays have given way to the bacteria, as well as viruses to develop immunity to a certain antibiotic strain, thus poses a threat of bacterial resistance, as these bacterial and viral species tend to become resistant to several antibacterial agents as a result of chromosomal and genetic mutation and adaptation to the agent (Neu, 1992). Due to this setback, many scientists have also initiated solutions that could be derived from natural sources, which led to the exploration and research on several animals,

Antibiotics have been an important instrument in public health since 1928, saving the lives of people around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), about half of antibiotics used in human and animals are unnecessarily and inappropriately prescribed, leading to the emergence of drug resistance in bacteria (CDC, 2015). The CDC estimates that drug-resistant bacteria cause two million illnesses and approximately 23,000 deaths each year in the United States alone (2015).

Antibiotic resistance had been a crisis in the United States for many years now. According to the CDC, “up to 50% of the time, antibiotics are not optimally prescribed, often done so when not needed, [or with] incorrect dosing or duration” (CDC). More and more bacteria are becoming antibiotic resistant mostly due to incorrect amount and length of dosage, while sometimes, even the actual antibiotic is incorrectly given to the patient. Because of this, many strains of bacteria had become resistant to these antibiotics and thus, have infected more and more