Antibiotic-Resistant micro Organisms are becoming a big silent threat to the existence human kind most people are unaware of this impeding danger as they are going about their day to day activities.
History have shown that there exist certain micro organism causing disease that nearly wipe out human race in previous generations. Another form of threats as emerged in recent times.
You can’t see, smell, or feel these life threatening Organisms , but they are right here with us living among us some individuals are already a carrier of some of these diseases.
The World Health Organization has been keeping tabs on the rise of these super bacteria, too, and published a list that “pose the greatest threat to human health.” Here are the 11 superbugs that have scientists at the WHO sweating.
1. Acinetobacter baumannii
This is one of the bugs that has scientists sweating with concern. Acinetobacter baumanniiis typically associated with hospital room infections and is carbapenem (antibiotic) resistant. It’s begun to spread, in part, by military service members returning from certain combat zones. Specifically, soldiers returning home from Iraq to the States.
2. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Another carbapenem-resistant strain of bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause disease in not only humans, but also plants and animals. It thrives in numerous environments and is most likely to be contracted in a hospital environment by people with weak immune systems. This particular superbug kills around 400 people per year, the CDC reports, a small percentage of the 51,000 U.S. cases diagnosed annually.
3. Enterobacteriaceae
Enterobacteriaceae is the third and final bacteria listed as critical on the WHO’s report. Critical, in that the situation surrounding the bug’s antibiotic resistance is very concerning.
Again,Enterobacteriaceae is carbapenem-resistant, and also ESBL-producing, which can cause further complications and become harder to treat.
The following six superbugs are classified as high on the priority list by the WHO.
4. Enterococcus faecium
The Enterococcus faecium bacteria has become resistant to vancomycin, an antibiotic used to treat infections in the intestines. Therefore, as you may have guessed, this particular bacteria tends to cause infections in your gut — though not exclusively. Enterococcus is also starting to show resistance to other common treatments, like penicillin, making fighting infections even more difficult for doctors.
5. Staphylococcus aureus
You may be more familiar with Staphylococcus aureus than you realize. It also goes by another name: staph infection. Or MRSA, being that it’s methicillin-resistant and vancomycin-resistant. It’s a nasty bug and can cause all kinds of infections that are, in some cases, deadly. The scary part is that it’s learning to survive the antibiotics developed to fight it, and getting harder and harder to kill as it evolves.
6. Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori are clarithromycin-resistant,WebMD reports, and as a result, have earned a spot on the WHO’s list. As you may have gathered from the photo above, it’s a bacteria that’s typically found in the stomach and intestines and causes complications in the digestive system. The most common issue people experience is ulcers, and though the majority of people actually carry the bacteria, only a small subset experience problems.
7. Campylobacter spp.
Campylobacter literally translates to “curved bacteria.” And this particular curved bacteria is one of the most common causes of digestive problems. It’s not usually dangerous, but can be fatal when contracted by children or those with weak immune systems. It’s fluoroquinolone-resistant, and is often transmitted as a food-borne illness — the bacteria exists in animals, and eating undercooked meat can lead to transmission.
8. Salmonellae
It sounds like salmonella. The photo above is hinting at salmonella. It must be salmonella. Indeed it is salmonella, a fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria that, like Campylobacter, is transmitted as a food-borne illness. Salmonella can result in a nasty few days of recovery, but it’s typically treatable. The problem is that our drugs are becoming less and less effective — so don’t be afraid to burn your eggs.
9. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
It’s cephalosporin-resistant, fluoroquinolone-resistant, and sexually transmitted. And yes, it’s one of the most well-known STDs out there: gonorrhea. Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea, to be exact. Obviously, the evolution of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to become resistant to modern drugs and medicines is dangerous and making treatment more difficult. That’s why the WHO report lists it as a high priority for new antibiotics.
10. Streptococcus pneumoniae
The final three superbugs, starting with Streptococcus pneumoniae, are listed as priority three, or medium, on the WHO’s list. It’s, penicillin-non-susceptible, and is the bacteria that causes pneumonia — the illness buried in the bacterium’s name. It also causes many other infections and problems but is entirely treatable with modern drugs. For the time being.
11. Haemophilus influenzae
Haemophilus influenzae is an ampicillin-resistant bacteria that, despite the name, doesn’t cause the flu. Instead, it’s most commonly associated with illnesses in young children. There are actually six different strains, with the most famous being type b, which causes Hib. There is a vaccine available, which has helped in preventing tens of thousands of cases every year.
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