Revenge of the Microbes: How Bacterial Resistance Is Undermining the Antibiotic Miracle.Revenge of the Microbes: How Bacterial Resistance Is Undermining the Antibiotic Miracle. Abigail A. Salyers and Dixie D. Whitt American Society for Microbiology The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is a scientific organization, based in the United States although with over 43,000 members throughout the world. It is the largest single life science professional organization and its members include those whose interests encompass basic Press, Washington, DC, 2005 ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 1-55581-298-8 Pages: 186, Price: US $29.95 Professional journals these days brim with new developments in the field of antimicrobial antimicrobial /an·ti·mi·cro·bi·al/ (-mi-kro´be-al) 1. killing microorganisms or suppressing their multiplication or growth. 2. an agent with such effects. resistance, and scarcely a week goes by without a flurry of new reports on "super bugs" in popular media. Given the unrelenting blitz of information, that 2 self-proclaimed "fusty old pedants" could produce a fresh perspective in the ongoing arms race between man and microbe microbe /mi·crobe/ (mi´krob) a microorganism, especially a pathogenic one such as a bacterium, protozoan, or fungus.micro´bialmicro´bic mi·crobe n. is all the more noteworthy. Although their traditional milieu is microbiology textbooks, Salyers and Whitt have provided a concise yet readable history of the rise of resistant organisms, as well as the social and economic effect of "these indomitable in·dom·i·ta·ble adj. Incapable of being overcome, subdued, or vanquished; unconquerable. [Late Latin indomit little critters." The history, from the first hints of penicillin resistance to the recent rise of vancomycin vancomycin (văn'kōmī`sĭn), antibiotic resembling penicillin in the way it acts. It is derived from the bacterium Streptomyces orientalis, which was isolated from soil of India and Indonesia. resistance, is as insightful as it is entertaining. Lay readers will get a digestible digestible having the quality of being able to be digested. digestible energy the proportion of the potential energy in a feed which is in fact digested. digestible protein see digestible protein. dose of the basic science often missing from the mass media. And professionals will find the kind of incisive analysis--and even a touch of humor--that is often missing from scientific journals. Both audiences will find eminently compact descriptions of the major mechanisms that enable bacteria to develop and pass on resistant traits, the hurdles that pharmaceutical companies face in developing new antimicrobial drugs, the dilemmas doctors and patients face in finding better ways to use drugs, and a thoughtful appraisal of possible future trends. In contrast to prophecies of an approaching "post-antibiotic era," the authors' own "realistic vision of the future" is far from apocalyptic. Still, they worry that increasing numbers of treatment failures like those occurring in hospitals and community settings will erode confidence in the healthcare system. Some diseases, they believe, will remain treatable, some new drugs will emerge, and bacteria, with 3 billion years of evolution on their side, will continue to adapt. So perhaps, they suggest, "the best we can hope for is detente dé·tente n. 1. A relaxing or easing, as of tension between rivals. 2. A policy toward a rival nation or bloc characterized by increased diplomatic, commercial, and cultural contact and a desire to reduce tensions, as through , a running standoff between science and the bugs' remarkable ability to adapt to their changing environment." Mike Toner, Atlanta Journal and Constitution Address for correspondence: Mike Toner, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 72 Marietta St, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; fax: 404-526-5746; email: mtoner@ajc.com |
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