Antibiotic Resistance

Question 1

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Answer 1

a strain of S. aureus that is resistant to several antibiotics, including methicillin

Question 2

Clostridium difficile

Answer 2

a type of bacterium that often exists in the intestines and causes no problems unless it becomes dominant as a result of antibiotic treatment that has removed or damaged the normal gut flora

Question 3

hospital-acquired infections (HAI’s)

Answer 3

infections that are acquired by patients while they are in hospitals or care facilities; these infections may be the result of poor hygiene or the result of antibiotic treatment; the pathogens may be antibiotic resistant