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Aug 9, 2006


Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

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Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

Bacteria’s are one-celled organisms that were discovered in 1676 by Anthony Van Leeuwenhoek. Many people like to define bacteria as a germ, but in reality germs are a form of bacteria. Most bacteria are not harmful to one’s body but helpful in ways no one expects. (Lietz 6) For example bacteria located in soil that is used to grow food by turning dead animals and plants into the rich, dark topsoil. (Leitz 7) They also make shelter for humans and animals. Bacteria are removed from ones teeth and body after brushing and bathing daily. (Leitz 59) It is always completely surrounding everyone daily and no matter where you go it will always be with you at all times. (Leitz 10)

Dr. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 and this penicillin was made of mold and killed many types of germs and was later tested on rabbits and resulted in no harm to the rabbit. The problem was that no one was able to make large quantities of it so it was not used very often. (Leitz 45) After ten years of consistent growing of the penicillin it was finally able to be used on a few dying patients. (Leitz 46-47) In late 1942 penicillin actually began to sell and save lives all over. This form of mold known as penicillin is a form of an antibiotic. Antibiotics are a bacteria fighter that made from mold and fungi. It is a drug that became very common and worked against many germs. (Leitz 49) Penicillin back in the 1940’s cured many infections such as staphylococcus, pneumococcus and entercococcus, tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea. As time passed on there were many new antibiotics being made and taking care of new infections or diseases, so antibiotic-resistant bacteria was never suspected and would have been the last...