Question

1.Based on the following scientific paper (See Abstract of paper) why are there no diameters given for ampicillin and Staphylococcus?

http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?ja04014

2. When resistance develops, making an antimicrobial no longer useful for treatment of a specific disease, which of the following has “become resistant”? The patient, the drug or the bacteria

3.Which of the 3 antibiotics used in this exercise would work best for treatment of the influenza virus

Answer 1

2] Resistance to an antibiotic means that the drug has become ineffective against that bacteria or, in other words, the bacteria have developed resistance or immunity against that particular drug. Antibiotics generally work by blocking the biochemical cycle of the bacteria. Sometimes, the bacteria undergo genetic mutations and bring about changes in their genetic composition which helps them to become resistant to that particular drug.

3] Antibiotics do not work against viruses because viruses do not have a cell wall. So, there is no antibiotic which can be prescribed for influenza. However, if there is a bacterial complication too, like an ear infection, sinusitis etc. then an antibiotic can be prescribed. Unnecessary use of antibiotics can cause side effects and even lead to antibiotic resistance.

These days some antiviral medications are available, like, amantadine, flumadine which are active against influenza virus A. Tamiflu and zanamivir are two new products active against influenza B.