"Nightmare Bacteria" On The Rise

Aaron E. Carroll
Thursday March 7, 2013
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/opinion/carroll-nightmare-bacteria/index.html?hpt=he_c2

Summary:  This article talks about CRE, a bacterium whose antibiotic-resistance has been one the rise. CRE infections can kill about half the patients with bloodstream infections. With the rise in CRE bacteria, hospital are taking necessary precautions to isolate the infected patients and make sure the bacteria doesn't spread. The problem that Aaron Carroll addresses with this issue is that the widespread use of antibiotics is allowing for bacteria to become resistant. We now find antibiotics in lotion soaps, food that animals eat, as well as using these antibiotics to treat minor issues. Carroll states that the more we use these antibiotics for a minor issue, like a virus, we're giving the bacteria a chance to evolve resistance that will potentially lead to long-term problems due to these resistant strains.


Connection: This article relates to our last unit in microbes because we were studying bacteria and they're structure, reproduction, evolution, and origin. Also, our last lab had to do with the inhibition of bacteria and what substances were more effective in treating them versus others. Finally, this article brings up the issue from our evolution unit about antibiotic resistant bacteria because through evolution and natural selection, the more we use antibiotics the greater chance there is that the bacteria will become resistant.