Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance

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Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance
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When were antibiotics discovered?
1928 by Alexander Fleming Penicillin
Fleming receiving Nobel Prize in 1945
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What did people die from in early 1900s?
Mostly infectious diseases many caused by
bacteria
Thanks to mass-production of antibiotics ?
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How common is the use of antibiotics?

• 1998, 80 million prescriptions filled in U.S.
  (12,500 tons)
• Additional 18,000 tons due to use in farm
  animals

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So what happens with lots of antibiotic use?
Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics
(70 of bacteria which cause infections in
hospitals are resistant to at least one
antibiotic)
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How big of a problem are antibiotic-resistant
bacteria?
In 2005, more people died from MRSA (a multiple
antibiotic-resistant bacteria) than from AIDS.
Most are connected with a hospital stay, but 15
occurred in people with no known health risk.
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How do bacteria become antibiotic-resistant?
Natural Selection

1. Genetic variation.
2. Overproduction of offspring.
3. Competition for resources.
4. Those that survive can pass on genes.

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How can we slow the development of
antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

1. Dont take antibiotics for a viral infection.

2. Take entire prescription.
3. Dont save antibiotics.
4. Dont use somebody elses medication. (old
not correct dose)