Penicillin Essay Example

A long time ago, in a lab, far, far, away…

Penicillin was born!

What is penicillin?

Penicillin is a group of antibacterial drugs that attack a wide range of bacteria. They were the first drugs of this type that doctors used. The discovery and manufacture of penicillins have changed the face of medicine, as these drugs have saved millions of lives.

Wow! That sounds amazing! How was it discovered?

People usually credit the discovery of penicillins to Alexander Fleming. The story goes that he came back to his lab one day in September of 1928 to find a Petri dish containing Staphylococcus bacteria with its lid no longer on. The dish had become contaminated with a blue-green mold called Penicillium notatum. Fleming observed that there was a clear ring around the mold where the bacteria couldn’t grow. By finding this mold and seeing its use, Fleming started to create one of the most useful drugs in medical history.

Did they try it out on anyone?

Yes! In March of 1942, Anne Miller became the first civilian to receive successful treatment with penicillin. She closely avoided death after severe infection following a miscarriage.

That's awesome! So why is it a health danger?

Well, antibiotic resistance is a health danger because bacteria have been around for billions of years. During those years, they went through drastic environments and, as a result, are highly adaptable. They also regenerate very quickly, making generally quick genetic changes possible across a population.

I don’t get it. 

Bacteria can develop immunity to penicillin! 

Oh my! That’s crazy. How?

There are three ways antibiotic resistance can develop. Number one:“Penicillinase: Bacteria are sometimes able to produce penicillinase, an enzyme that degrades penicillins. This ability can spread throughout the bacterial population via a small ring of DNA in a process called conjugation. This is the bacterial equivalent of sexual reproduction, where individual organisms share new genetic information between them.” Number two: “Altered bacterial structure. Some bacteria can vaguely change the format of the penicillin-binding proteins in their peptidoglycan wall so that penicillins can no longer bind to it.” And number three: “Penicillin removal: Other bacteria develop systems to export penicillins. Bacteria have efflux pumps that they use to release substances from the cell. The repurposing of some of these pumps can allow the cell to dispose of penicillins.”

Wow. Bacteria are cool! Where do we see antibiotics in our daily lives? 

Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infections. They are not effective against viral infections, such as the common cold or flu. 

What kinds of bacterial infections are they talking about?

Infections like acne. Although that’s a pretty minor one. Antibiotics are used in larger scale infections as well. Such as after a bite/wound that could get an infection, if you are at a high risk of infections- like chemotherapy treatment, some kinds of eye surgeries, like cataract or glaucoma, or joint replacement surgery! Although, some people have medical conditions that require them to take antibiotics. These medical conditions include individuals who have had their spleen removed, those undergoing chemotherapy, and people with sickle cell anemia. But sometimes antibiotics are prescribed for people who have an infection with a risk of coming back, or that is causing them distress. These include: cellulitis, a urinary tract infection, or rheumatic fever.

All of those sound awful! I’m glad antibiotics can help. But what happens when they are overused? Why do people overuse them?

People overuse antibiotics for a variety of reasons- but the most common one is the mistaken belief that they are beneficial for a broad array of conditions, and because many physicians are willing to prescribe antibiotics if patients ask for the medication, according to a Rutgers study. The overuse of antibiotics, especially if taken for the wrong treatment, promotes antibiotic resistance. According to the Centers for Disease control, about one third of the antibiotics used are not appropriate. People will take antibiotics for viral infections. Those infections include the common cold, the flu, whooping cough, and some ear infections. Antibiotics can’t help with those.Taking an antibiotic for those infections won’t cure the infection, won’t keep others from getting sick, won’t help you feel better, and helps promote antibiotic resistance.

I’ve heard of some infections like MRSA, and MDR, but I’m not sure what they are. Can you help?

Sure! MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is caused by a type of staph a that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections.

Oh no, more antibiotic resistance! Where does it happen? 

Yep. Most MRSA infections happen in people who've been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes. When it occurs in these settings, it's known as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). HA-MRSA infections usually are associated with invasive procedures or devices, such as surgeries and artificial joints. HA-MRSA can spread by health care workers touching people with unclean hands or people touching unclean surfaces.Another type of MRSA infection has occurred in the wider community — among healthy people. This form, community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), often starts as a painful skin boil. It's usually spread by skin-to-skin contact. At-risk populations include groups such as high school wrestlers, child care workers and people who live in crowded conditions.

Oof. That's awful. I have this weird rash- do you think this is MRSA? Just kidding. But really- what are some of the symptoms?

You’re silly! MRSA can start as painful, swollen red bumps. But it can rapidly progress into deep boils that require draining by surgery. Sometimes the bacteria stays on the top of the skin, but it can burrow deep into the body. This can create potentially life-threatening infections.