Antibiotic-resistant infections that are difficult to treat are becoming increasingly common and are causing a global health crisis. The number of bacteria resistant to antibiotics has increased in the last decade. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread, threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat. The evolution of resistant strains is a natural phenomenon which occurs when microorganisms replicate erroneously, or when resistant traits are exchanged between them. The use and misuse of antimicrobial drugs accelerates the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Poor infection control practices, inadequate sanitary conditions and inappropriate food handling further encourage the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections. (C) Medpharm
机构:
Univ Calif Los Angeles, Div Infect Dis, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
Univ Calif Los Angeles, David Geffen Sch Med, Los Angeles, CA USAUniv Calif Los Angeles, Div Infect Dis, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA