What is Antibiotic Resistance?
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. This means the bacteria are no longer affected by a specific antibiotic, rendering that medication ineffective for treating the infections they cause. This natural evolutionary process allows bacteria to survive and multiply, continuing to cause illness despite treatment attempts.
How Do Bacteria Become Resistant?
Bacteria acquire resistance through several mechanisms, primarily genetic mutations or by sharing resistance genes with other bacteria. Mutations can alter the bacterium's target site, make the antibiotic unable to enter the cell, or enable the bacterium to produce enzymes that destroy the antibiotic. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics accelerate this process by creating selective pressure, allowing resistant strains to thrive.
A Practical Example of Resistance
A common example is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are a common cause of skin infections. However, strains like MRSA have developed resistance to methicillin and other common antibiotics, making these infections much harder and more costly to treat. This often necessitates using stronger, more toxic, or less available antibiotics.
Why is Antibiotic Resistance Important?
Antibiotic resistance is a critical global public health threat because it makes infections harder to treat, leading to prolonged illnesses, increased hospital stays, higher medical costs, and greater mortality rates. It endangers the effectiveness of modern medicine, from routine surgeries to cancer chemotherapy, which rely on effective antibiotics to prevent and treat infections.