BIOL 1001 Week 5 Discussion: Pesticide and Antibiotic Resistance
The concept of antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, to survive the presence of antibiotics that would typically kill susceptible cells of the same strain. In clinical terms, antibiotic resistance implies that a pathogen is less responsive to the administered antibiotic compared to its counterparts. The vast number of microorganisms, combined with the continuous evolutionary variations, will inevitably overpower our drugs, according to the American Academy of Microbiology (2009).
For microorganisms, antibiotics represent an evolutionary challenge that they must overcome or face elimination. Hence, antibiotic resistance develops through the process of natural selection (Belk and Maier, 2016). According to the American Academy of Microbiology (2009), antibiotic resistance arises by chance through mechanisms that may be a result of natural competition among microorganisms. The mechanisms, genes, and pathways involved in antibiotic production and resistance are essential components of microbial life and represent normal evolutionary phenomena.
BIOL 1001 Week 5 Discussion: Pesticide and Antibiotic Resistance
The specific antibiotic resistance I have chosen to discuss is Tuberculosis (TB), a lung disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB impairs the lungs’ ability to supply oxygen to the body and can also affect other organs such as the brain, kidneys, or spine. Although one-third of the world’s population is infected with TB, most individuals do not develop active TB.
However, two million people infected with TB die each year. TB is primarily spread by individuals with active disease. The standard treatment for TB involves a course of antibiotics lasting 6-12 months. Unfortunately, 20% of cases do not respond to standard antibiotics, 2% show no response at all, and approximately one-third of affected individuals die (Belk and Maier, 2016).
BIOL 1001 Week 5 Discussion: Pesticide and Antibiotic Resistance
In the case of TB, there are three types of antibiotic resistance: drug-resistant TB (DR TB), multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB), and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR TB) (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). DR TB occurs when the drugs used for treatment are misused or mismanaged, such as when patients do not complete the full course of TB treatment or when healthcare providers prescribe the wrong treatment.
DR TB is more common in individuals who do not adhere to their TB drug regimen, have a relapse after prior treatment, or have been in close contact with someone known to have DR TB (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). MDR TB is caused by TB bacteria that are resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, the two most powerful TB drugs (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). XDR TB is a rare form of MDR TB that is resistant to isoniazid, rifampin, any fluoroquinolone, and at least one of three injectable second-line drugs (amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin) (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). XDR TB poses a significant challenge as it is resistant to the most potent TB drugs, leaving patients with less effective treatment options (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.).
BIOL 1001 Week 5 Discussion: Pesticide and Antibiotic Resistance
To prevent the spread of DR TB, infected individuals must strictly adhere to their prescribed TB drug regimen. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in preventing DR TB by promptly diagnosing cases and monitoring patients’ responses to treatment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). Another preventive measure is to avoid close contact with known DR TB patients in confined or crowded environments like hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.).
For the treatment of DR TB, MDR TB, and XDR TB, healthcare providers may administer fluoroquinolone antibiotics, despite the potential adverse effects associated with their use. While patients receiving fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs for TB may experience certain risks, these drugs are necessary for individuals with drug-resistant TB or those who cannot tolerate the first-line TB drugs. In such cases, the benefits of fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs outweigh the risks, considering the severity of TB as a potentially fatal or debilitating infection (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.).
References:
American Academy of Microbiology. (2009). Antibiotic resistance: An ecological perspective on an old problem. Retrieved from: https://www.asm.org/images/stories/documents/antibioticresistance.pdf.
Belk, C.M. & Maier, V.B. (2016). Biology: Science for life. (5th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson Education, Inc. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Drug-resistant tb. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/drtb/default.htm.
