Antibiotics: 'Miracle drugs' Are Losing Ground to Infections

January 19, 1999

Over the past half-century, antibiotics have helped save millions of lives.
However, some infections they once easily defeated are now winning the battle.

In 1997, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced that for the first time, the powerful antibiotic, vancomycin, was unable to stop the organism Staphylococcus aureus (staph infection).

What's happening?

"Over use, and inappropriate use, of antibiotics have helped accelerate the selection of tougher bacteria that no longer respond to many medications," stated Dr. Jim Henderson, a Board Certified pediatrician with Evergreen Pediatrics, Arlington.

How resistance occurs

When you take an antibiotic, it either overpowers and kills the bacteria causing your infection, or it prevents the bacteria from multiplying so your body's immune system can destroy them. Problems arise when some bacteria survive treatment. As these bacteria reproduce, they change their cellular makeup to protect themselves against future attack. The next time you use the same antibiotic, it may not be effective. You may need a different drug.

Your chances of harboring drug-resistant bacteria increases if you take a lot of antibiotics or you do not take them as prescribed (see side bar article "10 steps to reduce your risk for drug resistant infection".) However, even if you have never taken an antibiotic, you can still acquire drug-resistant bacteria from others.

How serious is the situation?

According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research: In the United States, 30 percent of all strains of the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that can cause pneumonia, blood infections, and ear infections are partially or fully resistant to penicillin. Some strains of the Enterococcuc bacteria that can cause urinary tract and heart valve infections are now resistant to all approved antibiotics. And, there is fear that Staphylococcus aureus - a destructive and aggressive organism that can cause skin, heart, brain, and joint infections - could also become totally drug resistant.

New Weapons

Researchers are working on new antibiotics that attack bacteria in different ways and interfere with their ability to reproduce. But creating a new antibiotic takes almost 10 years of trials and hundreds of millions of dollars.

"Even with new drugs, using antibiotics only when necessary and as directed will continue to be important step in helping prevent the development of drug resistant bacteria," noted Dr. Henderson.

(Evergreen Pediatrics--now called Cascade Valley Arlington Pediatrics--is located at 875 Wesley St. in Arlington. In 1998 they formed an affiliation with seven other area clinics, Cascade Valley Arlington Surgery Center, Cascade Valley Hospital, and area specialists and primary care physicians. The group formed by that alliance is now called the Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics.)