Multidrug-resistant bacteria
Multidrug-resistant bacteria
Multidrug-resistant bacteria (pronunciation: mul-ti-drug re-sis-tant bac-te-ria) are strains of bacteria that have developed resistance to multiple types of antibiotics. These bacteria are often referred to as "superbugs" due to their ability to survive in the presence of multiple antibiotics.
Etymology
The term "multidrug-resistant bacteria" is derived from the words "multi" (meaning many), "drug" (referring to antibiotics), and "resistant" (indicating the ability to withstand). The term "bacteria" is derived from the Greek word "bakterion," which means "small rod."
Definition
Multidrug-resistant bacteria are bacteria that have developed the ability to withstand the effects of multiple antibiotics. This resistance can occur through natural selection and genetic mutation, or through the acquisition of resistance genes from other bacteria.
Related Terms
- Antibiotic resistance: The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic.
- Superbug: A strain of bacteria that has become resistant to multiple types of antibiotics.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): A type of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL): Enzymes produced by some bacteria that provide resistance to certain antibiotics.
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE): A type of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Multidrug-resistant bacteria
- Wikipedia's article - Multidrug-resistant bacteria
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