Through time, microbes, specifically bacteria, has evolved with the help of antibiotics into stronger microorganisms that are more difficult to eliminate.
WHAT IS IS THE CAUSE OF THE EVOLUTION?
Antibiotics are the reason for these fast and continuous evolutions. They are used so often that the rate of the microbes gaining resistance is becoming even quicker than the rate that new antibiotics can be created. (T-19)
Because many harmful bacteria are resistant to the modern medicine, those who gets seriously ill could potentially die from the failure of antibiotics. (I-104)
A graph of total number of new antibotics manufactured from 1983 to 2012 is shown above. (I-33)
As bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, the ones remaining that were not able to be killed are most likely capable of neutralizing or escaping. These bacteria would later repopulate, replacing the ones that were eliminated. Selective pressure also comes into play when all the susceptible bacteria are gone, forcing the leftover bacteria to gain resistance. (T-14, T-18)
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
HOW DO ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA DEVELOP?
MUTATION
DNA EXCHANGE
Mutation are very rare as they only occur in about one in one million to one in ten million cells. These random changes allows the bacteria to produce enzymes that blocks any administered antibiotics, pump mechanisms that sends the antibiotic back out, close up the entry ports, or eliminate the target of which the antibiotic aims to attack. (T-14)
WHY DO WE CARE?
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When a single piece of DNA is transferred between individuals; can be same species or different species.
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When a parent passes on DNA to an offspring.
Vertical Gene Transfer vs. Horizontal Gene Transfer
Displayed is the 3 forms of horizontal gene transfer. (I-35)
Displayed is the 3 forms of horizontal gene transfer. (I-35)
Bacteria can be easily spread - as can the dangers that comes with them. Below are the two most common ways antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be created and later transferred:
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food (animals raised with antibiotics)
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medicine (antibiotics)
Click to expand
A graph of the percentage of antibiotic-resistant bacteria between 2006 and 2008 is show above. (I-34)
With the rise of these microbes, many important factors are affected.
LIFE OR DEATH
As antibiotic-resistant bacteria increase, the chance of human survival ultimately decreases, unless something is done.
WE LOSE CONTROL
Sure, antibiotics are great. But if they continue to be inappropriately used, we are essentially training the microbes to become resistant, and they would no longer be in control of the effectiveness of our treatments. (I-103)
NO MORE ANTIBIOTICS?
As bacteria continues to gain resistance, more and more antibiotics would become useless, thus new ones needs to be created. However, at the pace that new antibiotics are currently advancing, the ratio of useful drugs to antibiotic-resistant bacteria is dangerously low.
There are a few solutions to slowly relieve the damages of the antibiotics that are over used.
GIVE IN TO THE STEWARDSHIP
NO MORE ANTIBACTERIAL PRODUCTS
LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS!
SHOP SMARTER
Microbes are often overused and misused through these two ways.
FOOD
According to studies, up to 80% of antibiotics sold are used to speed up the growth of animals or to prevent diseases that comes from processing. Because of the little amount of antibiotics used, the bacteria are not completely eliminated, therefore they are given the chance to become resistant.
STOP STUFFING THEM TOGETHER!
MEDICINE
Antibiotics are one of the most prescribed drugs throughout the world. This means that there is a chance for the microbes to evolve everyday. In some countries, people can get antibiotics without a prescription; this leads to an increase in misuses. There are also many doctors that prescribe the medication without thoroughly analyzing the illness.
Antibiotic stewardship is a program that can help reduce the incorrect usage of antibiotics. Doctors will be trained to prescribe the drugs appropriately in the right dosages for the corresponding situation. This has been proven to improve the patients' conditions, decrease the amount of antibiotic resistance, and lower the cost of health care. (I-105)
Patients would often times discontinue taking the drugs after they feel better, or believe their sickness is gone. However, instead of taking a chance, they should finish the antibiotics specifically prescribed to them to avoid any mishaps. (I-106)
Animals in farms are all clumped together; this is a easy way for the animals to contaminate each other. Their feces can easily spread diseases, which would then lead to farmers believing nourishing them with antibiotics will help. The easy solution would be to just stop the overcrowding of farm animals. Simply allowing the animals to have space would diminish this issue. (I-107)
When shopping for groceries, comsumers should look for products labeled organic or antibiotic-free. (I-108)
Most soaps and hand sanditizers contains triclosan. This compound is found to be no more useful than just regular soap and water, and may only contribute to antibacterial resistance instead of increasing the effectiveness of the soap. Consumers should look for products that do not contain this ingredient. (I-109)
(I-18)
(I-18)