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New Wave of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

reporter writes "New strains of 'Gram-negative' bacteria have become resistant to all safe antibiotics. Though methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the best-known antibiotic-resistant germ, the new class of resistant bacteria could be more dangerous still. 'The bacteria, classified as Gram-negative because of their reaction to the so-called Gram stain test, can cause severe pneumonia and infections of the urinary tract, bloodstream, and other parts of the body. Their cell structure makes them more difficult to attack with antibiotics than Gram-positive organisms like MRSA.' The only antibiotics — colistin and polymyxin B — that still have efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria produce dangerous side effects: kidney damage and nerve damage. Patients who are infected with Gram-negative bacteria must make the unsavory choice between life with kidney damage or death with intact kidneys. Recently, some new strains of Gram-negative bacteria have shown resistance against even colistin and polymyxin B. Infection with these new strains typically means death for the patient."

2 of 404 comments (clear)

  1. Gram Negative? by postermmxvicom · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Can we use these to make black holes? Or at least hover boards??? Pleeeease?

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    One last thing: Sometimes I wonder; "Is that someone's signature? Or do they type that at the end of each post?"
  2. Re:Idea by tuxgeek · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Don't be horrified... never attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity.

    Yep
    Too many 8 years olds with mod points that don't understand the subject matter may be the problem here
    The +5 insightful now is even more disturbing

    --
    "Suppose you were an idiot...and suppose you were a member of Congress...but I repeat myself." Mark Twain