bacterial resistance

Cards (6)

what causes bacterial resistance
within a population there is genetic variation - variety of resistance levels causes by mutation which is random
exposure to selection pressure (antibiotic) leads to natural selection
more resistance cells are likely to survive and pass on plasmids with resistant gene (conjugate)
resistant allele becomes more frequent
repeated exposure to antibiotic furthers resistance
how prokaryotic cells reproduce
asexual reproduction
what has happened to antibiotic resistance since antiobiotic discovery in 1928
increased
over-prescribing
eg in america antibiotics are in chicken feed - ingested via chicken - zoonosis - bacteria is already resistant due to exposure in feed
how is MRSA transmitted
30% of the population have the bacteria on their skin or nose
when it enters the body it causes boils, abscesses and is potentially fatal
how is MRSA treated
methicillin - widespread use must be prevented
aseptic techniques are vital
what is C.Difficile
in 5% of the populations gut and isnt a problem in healthy people
when common antibiotics kill off 'helpful' bacteria in the gut it survives and rapidly takes hold
the toxins damage the small intestines