What is causing bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics?

[Astronuc]

Someone (in GD), who is going for a long period without bathing or showering, made the comment that bacteria are good. Well some are, but many others are not, particularly those of the staphlococcus group.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are often simply called "staph" (pronounced "staff") bacteria. Staph bacteria can live harmlessly on many skin surfaces, especially around the nose, mouth, genitals, and rectum. But when the skin is punctured or broken for any reason, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection.

Staph bacteria can cause folliculitis, boils, scalded skin syndrome, impetigo, toxic shock syndrome, cellulitis, and other types of infections.

from http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/staphylococcus.html

http://textbookofbacteriology.net/staph.html

But more disturbing is the fact that these type of bacteria and others are becoming more resistant to antibiotics.

The social lives of bacteria
When antibiotics first came on the scene it looked like humans had gained the upper hand on bacteria once and for all. Well, it turns out we had won a significant battle, but the war was far from over. In recent decades, bacteria have rapidly acquired resistance to antibiotics. Just this month the New England Journal of Medicine reported that a form of staph bacteria resistant to all but the strongest antibiotics has become surprisingly common. And to make matters worse, the supply of new antibiotics is drying up. As the Health Show's Greg Dahlmann reports, that's pushing researchers to approach bacteria in new ways.

from http://www.healthshow.org/archive/week_2005_04_17.shtml

Audio prgram - ( http://healthshow.org/audio/890/890a.smil )

 

[DocToxyn]

Yes, these bacteria have been "on the radar" for a number of years and are particularly troublesome as nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infections. The are generally termed Methiciliin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, and if you do a search for that term you'll pull up a lot of articles. Most people point to our "overuse" of antibiotics when they are trying to explain how such strains come about, it's quite distubing that something like a simple bacteria, which was once easily treatable, has become such as potential hazard.

 

[ravenprp]

There are several factors that contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. One major factor is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. When antibiotics are used too frequently or inappropriately, bacteria can develop resistance to them. This is because bacteria have the ability to evolve and adapt to their environment, including the presence of antibiotics. When exposed to antibiotics, only the strongest and most resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, passing on their resistance to future generations.

Another contributing factor is the widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture. Antibiotics are often used in livestock to promote growth and prevent diseases, but this can also contribute to the development of resistant bacteria. When these bacteria are then transmitted to humans through consumption of contaminated food, it can lead to infections that are difficult to treat with antibiotics.

Additionally, not completing a full course of antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor can also contribute to the development of resistance. When a person stops taking antibiotics before the recommended duration, it allows some bacteria to survive and potentially develop resistance.

In regards to the comment about bacteria being "good" because they live on our skin, it is important to note that while some bacteria do have beneficial roles in our bodies, others can cause serious infections. This is why it is important to maintain good hygiene practices, such as regularly bathing and washing hands, to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria.

In conclusion, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, agricultural use of antibiotics, and incomplete courses of treatment are all contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. It is important that we use antibiotics responsibly and continue to research and develop new antibiotics to combat this growing problem.