Antibiotic resistance: Overuse of antibiotics in nursing homes could encourage the emergence of “superbugs” – why is this resistance dangerous?

A new study claims that nursing homes are breeding grounds for antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to overprescription of antibiotics. According to a report published in the Journal of Infection, stool samples provided by residents of Australian nursing homes contained bacteria with a wide range of genes linked to antibiotic resistance.

“Antibiotic tablets commonly used in the elderly increase many types of resistant bacteria carried in the gut and these so-called ‘superbugs’ may increase resistance to other important life-saving antibiotics,” lead researcher Sophie Miller, a PhD student at Flinders University in Australia, said in a news release.

“High rates of antibiotic prescription in aged care facilities are likely contributing to the proliferation of these microbes,” he added.

What is antibiotic resistance??

According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic resistance is a natural process that occurs when bacteria evolve to evade the effects of antibiotics. This can happen when bacteria alter the components of an antibiotic so that it is not effective. Considered one of the greatest threats to global health, the health organization says that resistance makes it difficult to treat the growing number of infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea and salmonella.

Increases the risk of disease spread, serious illness, disability and death.

The study

The researchers said they analysed stool samples from 164 older people living in one of five long-term aged care facilities in South Australia. Three of the five residents had been prescribed antibiotics at least once in the previous 12 months. Their stool analysis revealed more than 1,100 unique antibiotic resistance genes conferring resistance to 38 different classes of antibiotics. These included 20 antibiotic resistance genes of high clinical concern.

The study found that doxycycline was the main contributor to antibiotic resistance. Prescribing doxycycline increased the odds of finding elevated levels of antibiotic resistance genes by nearly 15-fold. “We found that an antibiotic that is routinely prescribed to nursing home residents was strongly associated with increased resistance to other antibiotics that had not been prescribed to the resident,” Miller said.

Most of the elderly residents also carried resistant genes without showing symptoms of infection. “Our findings suggest that even antibiotics not typically associated with major changes in gut bacteria can significantly increase the presence of resistant genes,” Miller said.

Why is antibiotic resistance a problem??

According to experts, this is a serious problem, as it makes it difficult to provide adequate treatment and healthcare to those suffering from diseases. If certain bacteria resist the drugs, doctors will have to find other drugs to help them get better, and this is extremely difficult.

Doctors say that because of resistance, bacteria begin to adapt. The more we “surprise” bacteria with an antibiotic, the more they become aware of it. They can see it coming and find ways to get around it by resisting the effects of the antibiotic.

What are superbugs??

Superbugs are pathogens (bacteria, viruses, or other germs) that find ways to adapt to the drugs that normally kill them. They adapt to the drugs and continue to multiply and cause infections despite treatment. Some bacterial infections with superbug status include: