BIOL 115 Lecture Notes - Lecture 27: Antimicrobial Resistance, Methicillin, Enterococcus
Document Summary
Emerging diseases diseases that occur for the first time in humans, are rapidly becoming more common in humans, or are entering into new geographic regions. That is, avian influenza (h5n1), swine flu (h1n1), and middle east respiratory syndrome (mers) Middle east respiratory syndrome (mers) a type of coronavirus, which are known to cause respiratory problems. Precise animal host is unknown, but has been found in camels and bats. Can be transmitted between individuals by close contact. Causes pneumonia and kidney failure, and has a 30% mortality rate. Antibiotic use does not cause humans to become resistant to the drugs; pathogens become resistant. In any given population of pathogens, there are some organisms that are naturally resistant to the drug. They have acquired this resistance through mutations or interactions with other organisms. The drug kills susceptible ones but leaves naturally resistant ones to multiply. The new population is then resistant to the drug.
