What Superbugs Are Lurking in Your Body?

Estimates from the World Health Organizations suggest that the usage of antibiotics over the past 70 years has added about 20 years to the average human’s lifespan. When you take an antibiotic, you expect it to do its job and attack the pathogen that’s making you ill – but that’s not always the case.

Bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other live organisms evolve over the course of time and become immune to human medications. Part of the problem is that doctors frequently over-prescribe antibiotics due to improper information received from patients or simply due to human error. As human reliance on medication increases, so does microbial resistance. Why?

What’s the Big Deal About Microbial Resistance?
All live organisms develop genetic mutations after a specific period of time. Fish no longer have feet and most humans lack a tail. Bacteria, fungi and viruses are no different. They adapt to environmental dangers or changes that affect their rate of survival. Antibiotics are created to eliminate infection caused by the pathogens, but the more our bodies rely on the drugs, the more resistant the organisms become. They actually build immunity to the drugs that are supposed to kill them.

This reaction is becoming more prevalent globally with every passing year. But just how common is the problem? Two million people in America alone suffer from antibiotic-resistant infections annually, and almost 25,000 of those cases die. But bacteria aren't the only problem here. Certainly salmonella, E.coli, and staphylococcus aureus are serious concerns, but so are viruses which lead to influenza, STDs, tuberculosis, malaria, and pneumonia. Yes, the very same medications that treat epidemics of yesteryear may do little more than lead to more pandemonium and deaths in the near future if we don’t do something soon.

What Can We Do About This?
The U.K. recently took center stage, offering a global prize of £10 million to whoever can successfully create a cost-effective and easy-to-use test for combatting the resistance problem within the next five years. Thus far, over 30 countries (including the U.S.) have joined the cause. Unfortunately, the purse will only make a dent in many companies’ research budgets. One major pharmaceutical company has already estimated spending $400 million on research and development in this year alone.

Doesn’t Microbial Testing Help Contain Pathogens?
Microbial testing absolutely does help contain pathogens, but many resistance issues occur after the initial testing on the medication. As the bacteria or viruses evolve, they learn to counteract the intentions of the antibiotics. Pharmaceutical microbiology is on top of the problem, however, by developing and utilizing new rapid detection systems for common medications. Sensitivity testing such as dilution methods, genotypic methods, and E-tests use specific microbiology instruments to confirm current resistance.

The most common test, due in large part to cost and time efficiency concerns, is the disk diffusion method. Disks are prepared and impregnated with antibiotic standards and then pressed into the agar solution. Once the pathogens are counted, confirmed, and contained, they receive the seal of microbiology quality assurance. That guarantee is becoming harder and harder to achieve, hence the new testing requirements.

Pathogens will be effectively contained through medical and microbiological means once again, but things may get worse before they can get better. While you’re waiting for medical miracles to happen, be sure to limit your personal antibiotic use. Use antibiotics only when prescribed by your physician and only for the allotted time. Implement healthier lifestyle changes involving diet, exercise, sleep and stress. And be certain to implement proper cooking and hygiene habits. Sometimes the best solutions are the most obvious ones.

Learn more about how microbial testing is working to protect you by contacting Biolumix today.

Biolumix
3928 Varsity Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 984-3100
Fax: 734-222-1830
Email: info@mybiolumix.com
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