Lecture 10: antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Question 1

How do beta lactam antibioticas kill bacteria?

Answer 1

Beta lactam antibiotics like penicillin kill bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis

Question 2

What are extended spectrum cephalosporins used for?

Answer 2

Extended spectrum cephalosporins can treat beta lactamase positive bacteria. However, esbls are resistant to this.

Question 3

Which are third-line antibiotics?

Answer 3

Third-line antibiotics are e.g. carbapenems, but unfortunately some bacteria now also produce carbapenemase.

Question 4

Are esbl bacteria important per country or is there something else happening?

Answer 4

Import and further transmission of esbl bacteria is important to consider. However, if the traveller returning with an ESBL does not use antibiotics, they lose the ESBL again.

Question 5

What causes difference in esbl prevalence in different countries?

Answer 5

Antibiotics overuse in people and lifestock, subtropical climate all contribute to drug resistance, antibiotics in surface water, population density all increase esbl prevalence.

Question 6

What is the one-health concept?

Answer 6

One-health concept: healthy humans, healthy animals and healthy environment are needed to remain healthy

Question 7

What is a surprising use of antibiotics?

Answer 7

Antibiotics can also be used to treat severe malnutrition. It works because it helps restore the microbiome to normal.

Question 8

What was the effective intervention used in France?

Answer 8

To increase awareness in public and healthcare workers and give access to rapid-diagnostic tests for tonsillitis, the only reason to prescribe antibiotics for a sore throat.