Researchers have found that viruses can be a powerful tool that can be used against them. Specifically, a type of friendly virus called bacteriophage (sometimes referred to as just phage) can be weaponized to fight even the most difficult bacterial infections.
So if a CRE superbug gets hold of mcr-1, whoever is infected with that superbug would have no treatment options. These are all very contagious bacteria, and while the most vulnerable people are the very sick patients in hospitals, anyone could catch one during surgery or even out in public.
Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter: Acinetobacter baumannii is the superbug strain of this bacteria and it can be found in soil and water and on the skin. It develops a resistance to antibiotics more quickly than other bacteria and is most common in hospitals.
Superbugs are bacteria or fungi that have developed the ability to withstand commonly prescribed drugs. A superbug can infect anyone, but some people may have a higher risk for infection because they've been exposed to superbugs in a medical facility or have a weakened immune system because of a chronic illness.
What you can do to prevent superbug infections
4 ways scientists are fighting superbugs
Medical Definition of Superbug
"Superbugs" are responsible for more than 35,000 deaths and nearly 3 million illnesses each year, the report found. The increase in deaths comes as researchers develop more sophisticated techniques to identify the deadly infections.
Summary: Hospital superbugs can float on air currents and contaminate surfaces far from infected patients' beds, according to researchers.
Share on Pinterest Bacterial and fungal germs are the most likely to develop into superbugs. A superbug refers to a germ that has formed resistance to multiple drugs that once treated the infection caused by the germ. The term “superbug” was developed by the media.
Definition of Superbug
Considered more dangerous than MRSA, Dr. Frieden called CRE a “Nightmare Bacteria” because of its high mortality rate, it's resistance to nearly all antibiotics, and its ability to spread its drug resistance to other bacteria.
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