These days, it is quite common to hear about drug-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs,” as they have been labeled by the press. Although “superbug” can refer to an organism that is resistant to only one antimicrobial agent, the term usually refers to multidrug resistant organisms (i.e., organisms that are resistant to more than one antimicrobial agent). Infections caused by superbugs are much more difficult to treat. It is important to note that bacteria are not the only microbes that have developed resistance to drugs. Certain viruses (including HIV, herpes simplex viruses, and influenza viruses), fungi (both yeasts and moulds), parasitic protozoa, and helminths have also developed resistance to drugs. Parasitic protozoa that have become drug-resistant include strains of P. falciparum, Trichomonas vaginalis, Leishmania spp., and Giardia lamblia.(1 Point)TrueFalse

A bacterium that is unaffected by an antibiotic drug is said to be a bacterium.

In some cases, a single antimicrobial agent is not sufficient to destroy all the pathogens that develop during the course of a disease; thus, two or more drugs may be used simultaneously to kill all the pathogens and to prevent resistant mutant pathogens from emerging. In tuberculosis, for example, in which multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are frequently encountered, four drugs (isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol) are routinely prescribed, and as many as 10 drugs may be required for especially resistant strains.(1 Point)TrueFalse

The term antimicrobials describes Blank______.Multiple choice question.a drug given to prevent illness in someone at risk for infectionany drug that works against microbes, no matter which microbes are targetsa drug that works against a wide variety of microbesa drug that works only against bacteria

Briefly describe what antimicrobial resistance is and the potential impact of antimicrobial resistance on society.

What is a likely cause of antibiotic resistance?