A Short History of MRSA's Resistance

----Antibiotics are drugs derived from molds or bacteria that kill other microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi. They treat infectous diseases in this way. However, over time, bacteria can evolve to meet environmental challenges and acquire antibiotic resistance.

----MRSA is more dangerous than any ordinary skin infection precisely because of the "MR" part - "Methicillin Resistant." Methicillin is part of a class of antibiotics that have no power to kill the bacteria and stop it from multiplying, although it used to. This strain of staph aureus had gone through many rounds of resistance to different antibiotics, not only the one in its name - In 1947, staph aureus became the first bacteria to show resistance to penicillin. This was four years after mass-production of the drug. In 1961, methicillin resistant staph was detected in Britain. At this point, vancoycin was the only drug left to treat staph aureus. BUT, VRSA (vancomycin-resistant staph aureus) was found in Japan in 1996 and is now in hospitals in UK, US, and France. However, it is still more scarce than MRSA. In the 1990s a new class of antibiotics called ozazolidinones with a commercial drug called linezolid became available. Resistance was reported in 2003. Now, staph aureus is the most common drug-resistant pathogen identified in hospitals.

Why Does It Happen?

----One reason for antibiotic resistance is over-prescription by doctors/over-usage by patients. Especially when penicillin was first discovered, it was thought of as a magic, cure-all drug. However, because it was considered a cure-all, people took it even when they just felt a little bit sick, and did not need antibiotics. Even now, people often stop taking the prescription when they feel better or use left-over doses - practices that kill weak bacteria and leave stronger ones to multiply, breeding resistance. In some countries, antibiotics are actually available without prescription, which increases instances of over-use.
----In more scientific terms, there are several ways bacteria acquire resistance. Some are naturally resistant. Some acquire a specific type of resistance through spontaneous mutations, rare changes in a bacterium's genetic code. Others become resistant from another bacterium in a process called conjugation, a transfer of genetic material. Viruses and free DNA in the environment can lead to the same.
----Finally, some people believe that the use of antibiotics in animals has increased some bacterial strains' strength. The drugs are used to treat sick animals and prevent the spread of disease, as well. They can be administered through water or feed. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, "An estimated 70 percent of antibiotics and related drugs... are used for nontherapeutic purposes such as accelerating animal growth and compensating for overcrowded and unsanitary conditions on large-scale confinement facilities." Bacteria that are attacked by antibiotics in animals are basically given a second chance to resist and later infect humans.

The Bottom Line: Why Is It A Problem?

----These are the two most important pieces of information about antibiotic resistance: Antibiotic resistance passes between bacteria. Antibiotic resistant infections pass between people.
Because of this, these diseases that require extra doctor visits, more intensive care, and more money and time to treat can spread to affect an entire community more quickly than you expect!

What Can You Do?

----Do not take antibiotics for colds and flus! Viral infections cannot be cured like bacterial ones - they go away on their own.

----Use "normal" soap instead of anti-bacterial, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

----When you are prescribed antibiotics, take the full dose for the time needed. Stopping just when you feel better grows stronger bacteria.

----Wash your hands often! Prevent disease - prevent need for antibiotics.