Antibiotic resistance: A descriptive overview

Jessica Kopp

North Dakota State University

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a critical problem facing today’s healthcare system. Microorgamisms that develop antibiotic resistance have the power to render mankind’s preferred therapy for illness, antibiotic, useless. As antibiotic resistance continues to affect every country in the world, it is pertinent to understand this issue in order to face it. The proposed paper is a descriptive analysis of antibiotic resistance with the goal of providing background information for a website on antibiotic resistance. Extensive research will be conducted in order to outline a description, background, timeline, contributing factors of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, usage guidelines of antibiotics will also be formulated.

Introduction

A grave problem has been facing humanity for several decades. This danger has the potential to strike any individual at any time without their conscious knowledge. The threat comes from microorganisms that have developed antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistant microorganisms, often bacteria, have acquired the ability to resist antibiotics that once would have killed these microorganisms (Levy, 2002). Due to this resistance microorganisms are able to flourish in humans despite therapy. Antibiotic resistance has been known for decades among the healthcare and scientific communities. However, the general public still has not been thouroghly informed. Therefore, it is imperative that this information is made available to every individual. Consequently, I am proposing to formulate a descriptive paper on antibiotic resistance. Currently, I am involved in a class that is building a website to explore antibiotic resistance. An important aspect of website development is defining the main goal of the website as well as explaining its major focus. The proposed project will not only serve as an informative piece for the general public, but also as an introduction to our class website. In this proposal, background information, project description, methodology, and a schedule will be outlined.

Background

Harmful microorganisms have been responsible for countless diseases throughout human history. However, mankind found tools to combat the detrimental effects in the discovery of antibiotics. It was thought that antibiotics were miracle drugs that could cure multiple illnesses. To this end, antibiotics have been used throughout history time and time again to abate dangerous bacteria. Unfortunately, in the 1940’s antibiotic resistance was identified in a microorganism called Staphylococcus aureus which was found to be resistant to penicillin. The appearances of antibiotic resistance caused health practitioners to begin to slightly question their faith in antibiotics. However, it wasn’t until years later that the true severity of the problem was known. In 1959, transferable resistance was discovered (Levy, 2002). Transferable resistance refers to a bacterium’s ability to transfer its resistance from itself to other bacterium not only in the same organism but in other organisms of a different species. This discovery marked the dire need for attention to this problem. Over the ensuing years, the hot topic of antibiotic resistance has been studied extensively. Numerous bacteria have been studied to identify if antibiotic resistance is present. If antibiotic resistance is present, which antibiotics the bacterium is resistant to is identified and links are identified. While a vast amount of medical research has been underway, the general public has only begun to be informed on this dilemma. In order to fully attend to this problem, it is pertinent that we develop a widespread understanding of this issue. Therefore, the proposed paper will serve as a descriptive account of antibiotic resistance.

Project

The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive examination of antibiotic resistance. The topic of antibiotic resistance will be fully investigated starting with a full description of the phenomenon. Secondly, a time line portraying the occurrences of antibiotic resistance will be detailed in order to depict its prevalence. In accordance with the time line, a background of antibiotic resistance will be provided. Furthermore, contributing factors of antibiotic resistance will be identified. This investigation of contributing factors will be utilized to understand how individuals can increase or decrease the incidence of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, contributing factors will be used as a transition to outline guidelines for the appropriate use of antibiotics with the goal of reducing rates of antibiotic resistance. Finally, the paper will close with suggestions for future policy changes to decrease antibiotic resistance and a conclusion.

The primary target audience for this paper is the general public. However, it would also be informative for individuals who are new to the healthcare field. As a person intending on becoming part of the healthcare system as a pharmacist, I believe I am qualified to perform these descriptive analyses.

Method

This project will begin with a literature review of existing qualitative accounts of antibiotic resistance in order to formulate a comprehensive description. One source that will be utilized for this section is our class book The Antibiotic Paradox (Levy, 2002). A second review will be conducted to compile information on the background of antibiotic resistance. During the background review, I will use the internet to assemble the aforementioned time line. Sources for all literature review will include books, scientific journal articles found on the NDSU library webpage, and news articles found using internet search engines. A third review will be conducted to determine the contributing factors of antibiotic resistance. Sources used to identify contributing factors will be identical to the background literature review sources. Finally, Guidelines for the appropriate use of antibiotics will be devise using previously mentioned sources as well as advise from local pharmacists at Thrifty White drug.

Since this is a descriptive analysis the methodology relies heavily on previous accounts and reports of antibiotic resistance. This may present a limitation because all information will be from a secondary source. However, the utmost care will be taken to procure reliable sources for this vital information.

Schedule

This project will begin October 8, 2010 and will conclude with the final project submission on December 3, 2010. The first three weeks will be spent compiling relevant scientific journal articles, news articles, books, and websites. The conclusion of week three an annotated bibliography will be submitted on October 29, 2010. The fourth week of this project interviews will be conducted with two pharmacists at Thrifty White Drug in Fargo, North Dakota. Once all research is collected a outline of the final project will be developed at the end of the fourth week. The following two and a half weeks will be spent writing the first draft of the project. A first draft will be submitted for grading on November 24, 2010. Feedback given from the instructor of the course will be strictly reviewed and a revision will ensue. A final draft of the project will be submitted on December 03, 2010. Lastly, all materials developed will be turned into the instructor in a final portfolio on December 13, 2010.

Conclusion

Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem that faces all of mankind. If left unabated antibiotic resistance will continue to spread potentially rendering our defense against harmful microorganisms useless. In order to combat this phenomenon it is critical that the general public understands the issue. Therefore, this paper will serve as a descriptive account of antibiotic resistance to inform the general public about the issue and what can be done to diminish it.

References

Levy, Stuart, The Antibiotic Paradox: How the Misuse of Antibiotics Destroys Their Curative Powers. Cambridge, MA, 2002. Print.