6.4.2 Development of Antibiotic Resistance

• What is antibiotic resistance?

  Ability to withstand antibiotics
• Antibiotic resistance develops through the process of natural selection.
• Bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance through genetic mutations or the transfer of resistance genes.
• What is one human factor that contributes to antibiotic resistance?

  Overuse of antibiotics
• One consequence of antibiotic resistance is the increased cost of healthcare.
• Strategies to combat antibiotic resistance include reducing antibiotic overuse and promoting hygiene.
• What is often responsible for antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

  Genetic mutations
• Match the mechanism of antibiotic resistance with its description:

  Genetic Mutations ↔️ DNA alterations that change antibiotic targets

  Horizontal Gene Transfer ↔️ Acquisition of resistance genes via plasmids

  Efflux Pumps ↔️ Active removal of antibiotics from cells
• Steps in the development of antibiotic resistance through natural selection:

  1️⃣ Mutation: Bacteria naturally mutate, some becoming resistant to antibiotics.

  2️⃣ Selective Pressure: Antibiotic use eliminates sensitive bacteria, leaving resistant ones to thrive.

  3️⃣ Reproduction: Resistant bacteria reproduce, passing on resistance genes to offspring.
• The resistance rate is calculated as the number of resistant bacteria divided by the total number of bacteria.
• Efflux pumps reduce antibiotic effectiveness by actively removing antibiotics from bacterial cells.
• What is one agricultural practice that contributes to antibiotic resistance?

  Using antibiotics in animal feed
• Non-compliance with antibiotic treatment can lead to resistant bacteria surviving and multiplying.
• Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics through spontaneous genetic mutations.
• How do resistant bacteria pass on resistance genes to their offspring?

  Reproduction
• The resistance rate is calculated using the formula: $Resistance rate =$$\frac{Number \ of \ Resistant \ Bacteria}{Total \ Number \ of \ Bacteria}$.Bacteria
• What is the primary mechanism behind the development of antibiotic resistance?

  Natural selection
• Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics through natural mutation
• Antibiotic use creates selective pressure that favors resistant bacteria.
• What do resistant bacteria pass on to their offspring?

  Resistance genes
• The resistance rate is calculated as the number of resistant bacteria divided by the total number of bacteria
• Genetic mutations in bacteria can alter antibiotic target sites.
• Match the mechanism of horizontal gene transfer with its description:

  Plasmids ↔️ Small, circular DNA that transfer resistance genes

  Transposons ↔️ Mobile genetic elements that insert resistance genes into chromosomes
• What is the role of efflux pumps in antibiotic resistance?

  Reduce antibiotic concentration
• Horizontal gene transfer is a primary mechanism for the widespread dissemination of antibiotic resistance.
• The resistance frequency is calculated as the number of resistant bacteria divided by the total number of bacteria
• Order the human factors that contribute to antibiotic resistance from most to least impactful:

  1️⃣ Overuse

  2️⃣ Misuse

  3️⃣ Non-compliance

  4️⃣ Agricultural practices
• Overuse of antibiotics increases selective pressure for resistant bacteria.
• What happens when a patient does not complete a full antibiotic course?

  Resistant bacteria survive
• One consequence of antibiotic resistance is increased mortality
• How does antibiotic resistance affect the duration of illness?

  Prolonged illness
• Antibiotic resistance can lead to increased healthcare costs due to longer hospital stays.
• Match the term with its description in the context of antibiotic resistance:

  Treatment Success ↔️ High pre-resistance, low post-resistance

  Mortality Rate ↔️ Low pre-resistance, high post-resistance

  Healthcare Cost ↔️ Lower pre-resistance, higher post-resistance
• One strategy to combat antibiotic resistance is reduced antibiotic use
• What hygiene practice can help prevent the spread of resistant bacteria?

  Handwashing
• Order the strategies to combat antibiotic resistance based on their primary focus:

  1️⃣ Reduced antibiotic use

  2️⃣ Improved hygiene

  3️⃣ Development of new antibiotics

  4️⃣ Education and awareness

  5️⃣ Surveillance and tracking
• Reduced antibiotic use slows down the development of resistance.
• What is the goal of developing new antibiotics in the fight against resistance?

  Combat resistant strains