Introducing… Super Bacteria

1. Biology/11th Grade (Samantha Caudill) Introducing…Super Bacteria Brought to you by… humans like us http://www.swhealthdept.com/generator/images/cartoon-virus-germ-bacteria-thumb.jpg

2. What is Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (aka- Super Bacteria)?How have humans played a role in its existence? Let us investigate further… http://www.public.asu.edu/~shaydel/images/personnelcartoon.jpg

3. Evolution of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria • About a half a century ago scientists thought that the medical world had destroyed the threat of major infectious diseases with the invention of antibiotics. Little did they know, they were preparing the breeding grounds for an upsurge of super infectious diseases. Diseases that no man was prepared to face, and no antibiotic could conquer. These times are now! How did we get to this point and how are we humans part of the blame? Adapted from: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/10/4/l_104_03.html

4. Evolution of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria • Whenever antibiotics wage war on microorganisms, a few of the enemy are able to survive the drug. • Because microbes are always mutating, some random mutation eventually will protect against the drug. • Antibiotics used only when needed and as directed usually overwhelm the bugs. • Too much antibiotic use selects for more resistant mutants. • When patients cut short the full course of drugs, the resistant strains have a chance to multiply and spread. Reference: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/10/4/l_104_03.html

5. Evolution of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria • In some countries, such as the United States, patients expect and even sometimes demand antibiotics from doctors, even in situations where they are inappropriate or ineffective. • Our immune systems will cure many minor bacterial infections on their own, if given the chance, and antibiotics have no effect on viral infections at all (i.e., colds, flu viruses, etc.). • Every time antibiotics are used unnecessarily, they add to the selective pressure we are putting on microbes to evolve resistance. • Then, when we really need antibiotics, they are less effective. Reference: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/10/4/l_104_03.html

6. Evolution of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Let us investigate further by viewing the video below…

7. Let’s Review What We Have Learned? What is Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria? How have humans played a role in its existence? 1) Bacteria that has mutated into a form that is resistant to a specific type of antibiotic. 2) Reproduce rapidly passing on their genetically resistant mutation. 3) Example: methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 1) Misuse of antibiotics (patients not taking the entire prescription) 2) Overuse of Antibiotics (doctors prescribing antibiotics when not needed; i.e. for colds and other viruses against which antibiotics are completely ineffective)

8. Now… put your new knowledge to the test! Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Open Response As a human race, we are embarking upon an age of “Super Bacteria”. In the past, MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) was the most feared resistant form of Staph. Therefore, a powerful new drug was invented… Vancomycin. This antibiotic is the last line of defense against the strongest of the antibiotic resistant super “germs”. As vancomycin has been used more and more in treatment, the human race has once again bred a new super power in the antibiotic resistant microscopic world… VRSA (Vancomycin resistant staphylococcus aureus). a. Infer why some bacteria are able to develop resistance to antibiotics. b. Discuss the role that humans have played in the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. **Note** Use the Science Open Response Organizer to prepare your response. Attached to the back of it you will find a Science answer sheet and general scoring guide. Use the scoring guide to develop and evaluate your response!