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Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria include all bacteria which are not possible to control through
the use of antibiotics medications. These bacteria cannot be killed by an antibiotic and can
survive and even multiply in numbers after being treated. Antibiotic drugs help to eradicate
bacteria that can cause disease and illness. They have significantly improved human health.
Antibiotics may now help to treat illnesses that claimed lives earlier successfully.
Nevertheless, a few microorganisms have developed resistance to widely used antibiotics.
Antibacterial resistance happens when bacteria can win over the antibiotics that should kill them.
Antibiotic resistance is a process that occurs naturally. However, antibiotic resistance can also
result from a combination of bacteria resistant to bacteria. Some bacteria are naturally resistant to
antibiotics.
How Antibiotics Resistance Occurs
Antibiotics can help create microorganisms that are resistant while simultaneously saving
lives. Antimicrobial resistance rises as fungi and bacteria adapt to the presence of antibiotics.
Antibiotics eliminate certain pathogenic microbes, but they also kill some excellent bacteria that
help protect the human body from bacterial infection. Antibiotic-resistant organisms persist and
spread throughout the environment (Gupta et al. 410). These hardy microorganisms can transmit
resistance traits to other pathogens through their DNA. In order to withstand the antibiotics
intended to kill them, bacteria might develop defense mechanisms known as antibiotic resistance
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(Serwecińska 17). The specific proteins that DNA instructs the germ to create determine the
bacteria's resistance mechanisms. Fungi and bacteria both include a wide variety of resistance
genes. All antibiotics may become worthless in the presence of a perfect confluence of resistance
mechanisms in germs that become challenging to cure, which results in illnesses that cannot be
cured through antibiotics. Uncomfortably, antibiotic-resistant bacteria may trade defenses with
other bacteria.
Antibiotics and Their Benefits
The usage of antibiotics in the modern era started with the discovery of the penicillin
antibiotic in 1928 by alexander Fleming. Since their discovery, antibiotics have helped save lives
and transformed the performance of modern medicine. Before the 1940s, healthcare
professionals prescribed antibiotics helped treat serious diseases. Penicillin was first very
effective in treating soldiers who developed infections during World War 2. After that, such
soldiers developed a resistance to penicillin such that many developments on antibiotics were
under threat. The drug manufacturers developed new antibiotics, which helped the confidence of
the public healthcare system. However, soon after, the first case of staphylococcus aureus
emerged during the same period. After the first case of resistant bacteria emerged, healthcare
professionals developed many cases of resistance to almost all antibiotics.
Antibiotics have played a vital role in achieving significant advances in surgery and
medicine. Firstly, they have helped to prevent infections resulting from surgery, which has saved
many lives. They have also helped prevent infections in patients who are receiving chemotherapy
treatments. Antibiotics have also helped to extend the life spans of humankind by treating
bacterial infections. During the 1920s, the life span of people living in the United States was 56
years. In recent years, the lives of people in the United States have increased to 80 years.
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Antibiotics are similarly beneficial to the rest of the world. In developing countries, antibiotics
have helped treat ailments that develop as a result of poor sanitation. As a result, it has helped
decrease the mortality rates in such countries.
Reasons for Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic Overuse
By 1945, alexander Fleming had already discovered antibiotic overuse among the public,
and he warned against the possible effects of the overuse. Antibiotic overuse causes resistance in
bacteria. Studies have established a connection between the usage of bacteria and the
development of resistance among many bacteria strains. Bacteria can transmit resistance
mechanisms in their genes from one bacteria to another. Resistance can also be a result of
mutation. Antibiotics kill bacteria sensitive to the drug, leaving the resistant bacteria behind. As
a result, the resistant bacteria multiply in numbers (Mobarki et al. 561). Many warnings have
been against the over prescription of antibiotics, but people still overuse the specific drugs
because there is no regulation against the sale of antibiotics; therefore, they are readily available
over the counter without a prescription.
Inappropriate Prescription
Bacteria can develop resistance against antibiotics if health the antibiotics are incorrectly
prescribed. Studies show that about 30% to 50% of antibiotic treatment cases have wrong
duration, wrong choice of agent, or wrong treatment indication. If practitioners incorrectly
prescribe, it exposes patients to complications. Incorrect prescriptions can trigger the
development of resistance among bacteria through gene alterations.
Antibiotic use in agriculture
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Many developed and developing countries have been using antibiotics as supplements for
the growth of livestock. More than 80% of antibiotics purchased in the United States are used for
livestock to protect them against contracting diseases. Antibiotics in animals promote healthy
animals, high yields, and high-quality products. The antibiotics used in animals transfer to
humans through the animal products they consume. Therefore, resistant bacteria move from
animals to humans. In most cases, the resistant bacteria reach humans through eating meat
products.
Few Antibiotics
The availability of a few antibiotics has also caused a rise in resistant bacteria. Many
pharmaceutical companies have stopped the development of antibiotics in the world due to
economic constraints. Most companies have also abandoned the development of such drugs.
Funding cuts have led to the situation. Many pharmaceuticals also do not consider investment in
antibiotics manufacturing a profitable venture because antibiotics help for only a short period.
Examples of Resistant Bacteria
Enterococcus-Resistant Vancomycin
Vancomycin-resistant is a bacterial strain of the Enterococcus genus that develops
resistance to vancomycin (Clinical Infectious Diseases para. 5). Enterococci are commonly
present in the human gastrointestinal tract and the female vaginal system. They are frequently
present in the natural world, such as water and soil. These germs might lead to infections.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Methicillin-resistant the staph bacteria that is the leading cause of the illness,
Staphylococcus aureus, has developed resilience to many of the drugs that help to treat typical
staph infections. Most MRSA infections afflict patients recently visiting hospitals and other
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healthcare institutions, including dialysis centers and hospitals. When it manifests in these
circumstances, it is known as healthcare-associated. Medical practitioners treat infections by
invasive devices and procedures, such as intravenous tubing and surgeries (Clinical Infectious
Diseases para. 4). Healthcare workers who touch patients or individuals who come into contact
with unclean surfaces can spread the bacteria
Multi-Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
These antibiotic-resistant bacteria have developed the ability to resist rifampin and
isoniazid. These are common antibiotics that help to treat tuberculosis infections. It can occur to
People who do not take their medications as prescribed. Tuberculosis is spread through the air
and can move from one person to another if not controlled and affects the lungs and other body
parts.
How We Are Combating the Dilemma
Hospitals
Hospital work procedures are known as universal precautions, which offer a fundamental
level of infection prevention for all patients' care, irrespective of their diagnosis or suspected
infection status. By adhering to suggested procedures for recognizing these pathogens, washing
their hands, donning gowns and gloves, and adequately cleaning patient care areas and medical
devices, healthcare professionals can stop the spread of these bacteria in hospitals and reduce the
over- and needless prescribing of antibiotics (Gupta et al. 415). This happens when patients
request antibiotics for viral illnesses when they are unnecessary because they cannot treat viruses
or when prescribed for diseases that do not call for them. For an antibiotic to be fully effective
and prevent the emergence of susceptibility, healthcare professionals should ensure patients
finish the recommended course.
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Laboratories
Labs typically use antibiotic susceptibility testing to determine the presence of the
bacteria, its strengths, vulnerabilities, and any new resistance mechanisms. Fundamentally,
defeating the enemy will be far more challenging if the laboratory cannot deliver timely,
accurate, and meaningful intelligence. That is, it will be challenging to select appropriate
treatments for infected patients without a vital laboratory service and stop the spread of bacteria
that are resistant to numerous drugs. Therefore laboratories have a crucial role in ensuring they
detect resistant bacteria for treatment by healthcare professionals.
Drug Manufacturers
The drug manufacturing sector is involved in several areas promoting antimicrobial
stewardship, despite playing a prominent role in developing novel antibiotics and vaccines. Drug
manufacturers invest in research and development to identify drugs that can combat resistance
mechanisms from resistant bacteria.
Prevention of Continued Resistance
Prevention of continued antibiotic resistance requires intense action involving preventing
antibiotic infection, improving the use of antibiotics, and stopping the spread of the bacteria
when it occurs. One may avoid bacteria by regularly washing hands, cooking food properly,
avoiding sick people, having safer sex, and maintaining up to date on vaccinations. d state that
food should be handled hygienically for people (Actions To Fight Antimicrobial Resistance para
2). Antibiotics should not have been administered to healthy animals to aid growth or combat
sickness (Torres-Barceló 16). Concerns about the rise in antibiotic resistance have prompted a
compelling need to concentrate on the problem of creating new drugs and vaccines to prevent it.
Government, scientific, and international networks must collaborate to identify novel antibiotic
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categories and methods. Giving the pharmaceutical sector research funding to develop new
medicines for diseases crucial to the healthcare system can accelerate the process of developing
drugs.
Individuals
Individuals can prevent the spread of resistant bacteria through antibiotics when
prescribed by a healthcare practitioner. Patients should, therefore, not demand antibiotics after
healthcare professionals state that they do not require to use them to heal (Antibiotic Resistance
para. 5). Patients should always follow the directions provided to them by healthcare
professionals regarding the use of their medications. Patients should always take antibiotics with
incorrect measurements and at the required time. Individuals should also never share leftover
antibiotics with other patients, as doing so will spread the bacteria. Individuals can also prevent
the spread of resistant bacteria by regularly washing hands, cooking food properly, avoiding sick
people, having safer sex, and maintaining up to date on vaccinations.
Policymakers
Policymakers should establish a roust resistance prevention action to control resistant
bacteria. Policymakers should also ensure that surveillance of resistant bacteria is improved
among the public so that every incident can be well taken care of. Policymakers should also
establish vital programs, policies, and implementation actions to control the spread of resistant
bacteria effectively. Governments in countries can also develop regulations that ensure the
appropriate disposal of antibiotics to prevent the spread from one person to the other. Regulators
can also create awareness among the public about antibiotic resistance and its causes and impacts
on the general population.
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Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals can help prevent the spread of resistant bacteria by observing
hygiene in hospitals. They should adequately wear their hands, their environments, and the
equipment. Healthcare professionals should also follow the guidelines by only prescribing
antibiotics when needed. Once they observe the presence o resistant bacteria in the patients,
healthcare professionals should always report such cases to the surveillance team to better
control and manage the situations. Practitioners should also converse with their patients when
they educate them on the correct use of antibiotics, resistant bacteria, and the dangers of misuse.
Agricultural Sector
Farmers should also help prevent the spread of resistant bacteria from animals to humans
by giving antibiotics to the animals only when veterinarians prescribe them. Farmers should also
never use antibiotics to promote animal growth or prevent diseases. Farmers should also make
use of vaccinations to reduce the usage of antibiotics and always prefer other options if available.
The Future
Antibiotic resistance is rising to alarming levels worldwide and is present in every
continent. The emergence and the spread of new resistance mechanisms globally endanger
people's ability to treat dangerous and widespread diseases. Illness, including gonorrhea,
pneumonia, blood poisoning, and tuberculosis, are among the growing number that are getting
harder for healthcare professionals to treat and, in most cases, are incurable as antibiotics lose
their abilities. Antibiotics sold without a prescription for use in humans or animals hasten the
development and spreading of antibiotic resistance in humans (Gupta et al. 418). Like humans
abuse antibiotics, doctors and veterinarians frequently overprescribe them without defined
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treatment guidelines. Without quick action, we risk returning to a world without antibiotics,
when common diseases and little wounds might become lethal.
The future will be better if policymakers enforce new interventions. Policymakers need to
help drug manufacturers by funding more research made development to develop new drugs that
can combat the menace. Healthcare professionals also need to do their part to control the spread
of the risk. Without urgent intervention, antibiotic resistance could lead to the death of many
people due to bacterial infections, which will be a loss to nations. The menace will spread across
all regions of the world. It will also spread across all age groups if not controlled. Everyone at
home or workplace should therefore adopt the preventive measures before it is too late to combat
antibiotic resistance.
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Works Cited
Actions to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance, Retrieved From;
Antibiotic Resistance, Retrieved From;
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance
Clinical Infectious Diseases, Retrieved from;
https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/71/3/677/5714301
Gupta, Akash, et al. "Combatting antibiotic-resistant bacteria using nanomaterials." Chemical
Society Reviews 48.2 (2019): 415-427.
Mobarki, N., B. Almerabi, and A. Hattan. "Antibiotic Resistance Crisis." Int. J. Med. Dev. Ctries
40.4 2019: 561–564.
Serwecińska, Liliana. "Antimicrobials and antibiotic-resistant bacteria: a risk to the environment
and to public health." Water 12.12 (2020): 3313.
Torres-Barceló, Clara. "The disparate effects of bacteriophages on antibiotic-resistant bacteria."
Emerging microbes & infections 7.1 (2018): 1-12.
