Antibiotic Resistance Crisis Discussion Questions

According to the text and information in Figure 1, how long after the introduction of antibiotics is resistance often reported?

Resistance to antibiotics is often reported within a decade of their introduction, with some antibiotics showing resistance just a few years after they were first used.

What impact does horizontal gene transfer have on the evolution of resistance? How does it enable diverse groups of bacteria to become resistant? 

Horizontal gene transfer allows bacteria to share genes, including those for antibiotic resistance, with other bacteria, even if they are from different species. This helps spread resistance quickly among diverse bacteria.

How often are antibiotics inappropriately prescribed, and how can this lead to resistance?

Antibiotics are prescribed incorrectly 30-50% of the time, and 30-60% of ICU prescriptions are unnecessary or wrong. This can lead to antibiotic resistance by causing bacteria to adapt and become harder to treat.

 What are the majority of antibiotics (80%) in America used for?

The majority of antibiotics in America is used in animals, to promote growth and prevent infection. This improves the health of the animals causing larger yields and a higher quality product.

How do resistant bacteria from farm animals reach consumers?

Resistant bacteria from farm animals reach consumers when humans eat meat from those animals. Antibiotics used in farming kill some bacteria but allow resistant ones to grow, which can then be passed to humans through the food supply, potentially causing infections.

Why aren’t pharmaceutical companies producing as many new antibiotic drugs currently as in previous years?

Pharmaceutical companies are producing fewer new antibiotics due to economic and regulatory challenges. Antibiotics are less profitable because they are used for short periods and are cheaper than drugs for chronic illnesses. Also, bacterial resistance can develop quickly, making it hard to earn a return on investment. Regulatory hurdles, like strict clinical trial standards, also make developing new antibiotics difficult.

What can be said about death rates from MRSA when compared to other causes of death?

MRSA kills more Americans every year than HIV, AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, emphysema and homicide combined. In the US, 11,285 deaths per year were due to MRSA alone. 

Why are hospital acquired infections often antibiotic resistant?

Hospital-acquired infections are often antibiotic-resistant due to the high use of antibiotics, vulnerable patients, and invasive procedures. Each year, 2 million Americans get these infections, leading to 99,000 deaths, with sepsis and pneumonia causing 50,000 of them.