Why is antibiotic resistance important?
A If bacteria become resistant to particular antibiotics, then those drugs will be ineffective – they will no longer treat the infection caused by the bacteria. Because of this, some antibiotics are no longer useful in many parts of the world. Newer antibiotics which are effective may not be available, or may be very expensive. Some strains of bacteria have adapted to new antibiotics almost as soon as they become available, thus greatly limiting their usefulness. In many countries, most E. coli bacteria are resistant to cotrimoxazole, tetracyclines and other antimicrobials; and most Shigella to ampicillin. Q How does resistance develop? A There are two main ways in which bacteria can resist the effects of antibiotics. 1. The bacteria themselves can change so that antibiotics are no longer effective against them – they become drug-tolerant. Because bacteria reproduce rapidly they are very adaptable and able to change fast in order to survive. When antibiotics are given, the more sensiti
