Superbug

superbug

Question-What is ‘Staphylococcus epidermidis’?
(a)Bacteria
(b)Virus
(c)Fungus
(d)Parasites
Answer-(a)
Related facts-

  • Australian scientists said that Staphylococcus epidermidis is a superbug resistant to all known antibiotics that can cause “severe” infections or even death and it is spreading undetected through hospital wards across the world.

About staphylococcus epidermidis

  • It is a Gram- positive bacterium and belonging to the genus staphylococcus.
  • It is found naturally on human skin and infects the people who have had prosthetic materials implanted.
  • It is related to deadly MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) superbug.

About superbugs

  • It is a strain of bacteria that has become resistant to antibiotic drugs.
  • These strains can make a small change in DNA which is responsible for resistance to antibiotics.
  • If a bacterium carries several resistance genes (through mutation and trading genetic material), it is called superbug or multi drug resistant.

Recent developments in stopping antibiotic resistant

  • According to recent studies, experts said that nanotechnology will be helpful in checking antibiotic –resistance bacteria.
  • Scientists have developed light-activated nano-particles — each roughly 20,000 times smaller than the thickness of a single human hair and have shown in lab tests that these “quantum dots” are more than 90% effective in cleaning antibiotic-resistant germs like Salmonella and E.coli.

References-
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/drug-resistant-superbug-spreading-in-hospitals-study/article24857593.ece
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staphylococcus_epidermidis
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171004142650.htm