Introduction

  The problem of drug resistance in bacteria is an emerging, but not entirely new health threat worldwide. The most notorious of these bacteria is the virulent form of streptococcus A., also known as the flesh eating bacteria. A virulent form of strep A. was the cause of Jim Henson's early death. (Nowak, 1994) There are however many different bacteria that can become resistant to conventional antibiotics. Many in the health care profession are uncertain what exactly causes bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, although they have many good ideas. I will discuss a few of the more accepted ideas of how bacteria can obtain drug resistance and the problems they cause. From bacteria sharing genetic material to mis-use and over use of anitbiotics.

  Diseases they cause

   Many forms of bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to many antibiotics that were before very effective in destroying them. One of the most problematic of these bacteria is streptococcus A. Strep A. in its virulent form can cause many different pathological problems. Some of these include organ failure due to toxins released by the bacteria into the blood stream and necrosis. (Skula, 2005) Of these, necrosis is the most most frightening for the general public. Necrosis is where the toxins or the bacteria themselves cause the degeneration of soft and sometimes bone tissues (Staphyococcal Osteomyelitis). (Ellington Et. Al, 2005) Strep A. can also cause the membrane surrounding muscle tissue to dissolve, causing and extremely painful and debilitating condition. Because of the resistance of this form of strep A. to conventional forms of antibiotic treatment, many patients do not recieve the proper medications in time to prevent amputations of effected limbs or even death in extreme cases. Even celebrities are not immune to the effects of virulent forms of strep A. Muppeteer Jim Henson, famous for his work on the Muppets movies and televisions show, succumbed to pneumonia caused by a drug resistant form of strep A. (Nowak, 1994) Once these resistant forms of strep A. take root inside the body they are difficult if not impossible to eradicate. Sometimes by the time health care professionals realize they are dealing with a drug resistant strain, it has progressed too far to control. These drug resistant pathogens kill or maim nearly 70% of the victims they invade. (Nowak, 1994) But, the burning question in many scientists minds is how these bacteria obtain their immunity to a class of drugs that used to control them for years?

Ways they become resistant

   There are many theories on why bacteria can become resistant to antibiotic treatment. One of the most popular is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. (Nowak, 1994) Basically patients had been prodding doctors into prescribing antibiotics for many viral conditions in which they were ineffective against (IE common cold or flu). Exposing bacteria in the body to antibiotics and possibly causing them to become resistant to them. Another idea put forth is that bacteria can become resistant by entering cells within the human body and then being exposed to antibiotics to kill them. When inside the host cell the bacteria's protein coat thickens. When then exposed to antibiotics it is resistant to the effects of the antibodies to dissolve their cell coating. These bacteria then pass on this trait genetically as they reproduce. (Ellington Et. Al.,2005) Another theory that is gaining popularity is that drug resistant bacteria can actually pass their resistance on to non-resistant bacteria by means of sharing genetic material with non-resistant bacteria within a host. They accomplish this by connecting to each other via a protein tube between themselves in a form semi-sexual exchange of genetic material. After which both bacteria share their genetic properties, including drug resistance.

Conclusion

   Overall drug resistant forms of bacteria seem to be on the rise. Many reasons for this may be doctors and other healthcare professionals are becoming more adept at identifying these pathogens as drug resistant.(Nowak, 1994) But, cases of these virulent and resistant bacteria remain extremely rare. Many of these drug resistant bacteria are living right now on the surface of your skin, causing no problems. It takes a large number of these bacteria to enter the body to cause problems. But, if they do. Identifying and finding drugs that the bacteria are not resistant to is important to treat the disease they cause. Since once the bacteria gain a foothold in the body, they are difficult if not impossible to remove.