Antibiotic Awareness: The Battle Against Superbugs

Author: U.S. Army
Published: 2016/11/17 - Updated: 2025/02/13
Publication Type: Informative
Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Topic: Disability Awareness - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Medical researchers at MRSN continue to detect, analyze and help physicians and hospitals eradicate drug-resistant bacteria before they spread.

Why it matters: This article, authored by the U.S. Army, addresses the critical issue of antibiotic resistance, focusing on the mcr-1 gene's role in rendering bacteria resistant to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic. The piece highlights the discovery of this gene in a Pennsylvania woman, marking the first U.S. case, and underscores the global threat posed by such "superbugs." It emphasizes the importance of responsible antibiotic use to prevent the development and spread of resistant bacteria, noting that misuse is the primary way resistant bacteria develop. The article also provides practical guidelines for healthcare providers and patients, including prescribing antibiotics only when necessary, avoiding sharing prescriptions, and being cautious when traveling abroad. This information is particularly valuable for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and the general public, as it raises awareness about the dangers of antibiotic resistance and the importance of proper antibiotic stewardship to protect public health - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

A 49-year-old Pennsylvania woman made history when she sought treatment for a urinary tract infection in May 2016. This year's observance of World Antibiotic Awareness Week (November 14-20) highlights the implication of her clinic visit and the subsequent discovery of her bacteria carrying a gene resistant to colistin, a "last resort" antibiotic. This was the first discovery of its type in the U.S., underscoring the importance of safeguarding antibiotics.

Main Item

Although antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been around for years, the detection by the U.S. Army's Multidrug Resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN) of this resistant gene called mcr-1 is important because of its resistance to colistin and its transferrable piece of DNA, called a plasmid, that can jump from one strain of bacteria to another. These types of resistant genes threaten the effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics for illnesses or injuries. Furthermore, "superbugs" could be created by the accumulation of these genes in one or several types of bacteria so that no antibiotic would be available to treat infections.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 2 million people in the U.S. become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year and at least 23,000 people die as a direct result of these infections. Efforts like World Antibiotic Awareness Week work to stop antibiotic-resistant bacteria through the promotion of more effective antibiotic use among patients and physicians.

Meanwhile, medical researchers at the MRSN, which is part of U.S. Army's Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), continue to detect, analyze and help physicians and hospitals eradicate drug-resistant bacteria before they spread. The MRSN investigates all samples of antibiotic-resistant bacteria collected from military medical facilities and includes a microbiology and molecular laboratory and an organism repository with some 45,000 isolates. By collecting and characterizing organisms, the MRSN helps inform best clinical practices and spearheads national infection prevention and control efforts.

"The MRSN has been assigned by the White House to lead the charge in antibiotic-resistant research and collaborate with other agencies to get ahead of this urgent public health issue," said Lt. Col. Kate Hinkle, MD, an infectious disease physician recently appointed as director of the MRSN.

Success in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria will also depend on increasing awareness of this issue among the general public, Hinkle said.

"Misuse of antibiotics is the primary way resistant bacteria develop, so more awareness and education is needed among both the healthcare community and general population," said Hinkle. "The good news is that bacteria lose their resistance over time if antibiotics are used appropriately, which reinforces the importance of proper prescription use."

In recognition of World Antibiotic Awareness Week and as antimicrobial stewards, the MRSN offers these tips to healthcare providers and patients:

• Prescribe or use antibiotics only when they are clearly needed.
• Do not share prescribed antibiotics with others.
• When traveling out of the country, be aware of the risks that are involved in contracting an illness or injury that may be resistant to antibiotics and consider which prescriptions to pack.

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by U.S. Army and published on 2016/11/17, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, U.S. Army can be contacted at www.army.mil NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.