bacterial resistance to antibiotics

[Pete Muriana]

In article <3gmr37$f17 at martha.utk.edu> ctfaulkn at utkvx.utk.edu writes:

>In Article <maga-310195164212 at 130.60.120.11>
>maga at vetbio.unizh.ch (Giovanni Maga) writes:
>>In article <011617b.1.2F26AD3B at axe.acadiau.ca>, 011617b at axe.acadiau.ca
>>(JANE BAILEY) wrote:
>>
>>> I am writing a paper of the implications of bacterial resistance to 
>>> antibiotics. 

     Some of the comments provided have been from a clinical aspect (i.e., 
difficulty in treating antibiotic resistant bacteria, etc.).   There's also a 
food aspect.  More than half the antibiotics produced by pharmaceutical 
companies are used at subtherapeutic levels in animal feeds as "growth 
enhancers."  No doubt this is one major factor leading to the selection and 
proliferation of antibiotic resistance among foodborne bacterial pathogens, 
many which can transfer antibiotic resistance genes among themselves or 
related bacteria.  The significance is when someone on antibiotics 
(suppression of normal flora) consumes food contaminated with a pathogen 
(i.e., Salmonella, etc,) that is resistant to the same antibiotic.  Another 
major factor may be lack of diligence on the part of physicians in 
prescribing antibiotics for every little cough, etc. - well, anyway, the 
increased use of antibiotics since WWII in human therapy contributes as well.

>>>  I have only just switched to being a biology major and so would 
>>> greatly appreciate it if anyone could send me some information on this 
>>> subject.  

Hope this helps, regards, Peter
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