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Fight the Resistance
By: Aaron Browder
History of Antibiotics
• Louis Pasteur was one of the first recognized physicians
who observed that bacteria could be used to kill other
bacteria.
• In 1929 Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scottish bacteriologist,
went on a vaction and left a petri dish of staphylococci
bacteria uncovered. When he returned, he noticed that
there was mold growing on it. Upon further examination,
he saw that the area around the mold had no bacteria
growing. He named the mold Penicillium, and the
chemical produced by the mold was named penicillin,
which is the first substance recognized as an antibiotic.
• Almost immediately after penicillin was introduced,
resistance in certain strains of staphylococci was
noticed.
Over prescription
• For years, physicians have been concerned
about the over-prescription of antibiotics and
now, researchers from Brigham and Women's
Hospital (BWH) and Children's Hospital Boston
have found that despite clear guidelines,
physicians are over-prescribing antibiotics.
• Significantly more prescriptions are written than
what is expected for actual rates -- 15 to 36
percent -- of strep throat among kids with sore
throat.
Effects of antibiotic resistance
• Taking antibiotics for colds and other viral
illnesses not only won't work, but it also has a
dangerous side effect: over time, this practice
helps create bacteria that have become more of
a challenge to kill. Frequent and inappropriate
use of antibiotics selects for strains of bacteria
that can resist treatment. This is called bacterial
resistance. These resistant bacteria require
higher doses of medicine or stronger antibiotics
to treat. Doctors have even found bacteria that
are resistant to some of the most powerful
antibiotics available today.
Tips to Reduce the Resistance
• Treat only bacterial infections. Seek
advice and ask questions.
Use antibiotics as prescribed.
• Don't save antibiotics for next time.
• Never use another person's
prescription.
Livestock use
• The introduction of antibiotics in commercial feed for
cattle, pigs, and chickens started in the early 1950s.
Soon after livestock producers began using
antimicrobials in food-producing animals, scientists
began studying the possible effects of long-term use of
antibiotics.
• In recent years, concerns about the use of antimicrobial
products in food-producing animals have focused on
human food safety because foods of animal origin are
identified as vehicles of foodborne disease in humans.
As a result of treating animals with antibiotics, foodborne
bacteria may also be resistant to the antibiotics used to
treat human disease.
Conclusion
• Antibiotics are among 20th centuries great
achievements. They have saved countless
lives and it is vital to preserve there
effectiveness to treat human diseases.
Over-prescription, increased transmission,
and livestock use make it more likely that
antibiotics will become resistant.