Prescription painkillers contribute to a rise in antibiotic resistance.
In a groundbreaking Australian study, researchers have uncovered a concerning link between the over-the-counter painkillers we commonly use and the evolution of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli.
The study, which was conducted in 2019, aimed to understand what happens when common bacteria are left to swim in a chemical soup created by multiple drugs. Two strains of E. coli were used, one a lab strain and the other isolated from an elder care facility resident.
The research revealed that when common painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen were added to the mix, the mutation frequency of resistant superbugs increased significantly. This finding suggests that the problem isn't just the antibiotics we use but the entire cocktail of medications swirling in our bodies.
The bacteria developed mutations in the gyrA gene, the antibiotic's primary target, to fend off the antibiotic attack. Interestingly, the most hyper-resistant mutants often had developed both types of mutations.
Ciprofloxacin, a common antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections, was also used in the study. The bacteria activated their efflux pumps, which actively identify and eject toxic substances like antibiotics from inside the cell, to survive in a deadly environment.
The crisis of antimicrobial resistance is no longer a distant threat; it is present. In 2019 alone, an estimated 4.95 million deaths were associated with antimicrobial resistance. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics themselves have been the primary culprit in the development of antimicrobial resistance.
The study also included nine non-antibiotic medications commonly used in elder care facilities, such as ibuprofen, diclofene, acetaminophen, furosemide, and atorvastatin. This finding underscores the need for a more holistic and cautious approach to prescribing, considering not just the effect of a single drug, but the entire medicine cabinet.
The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of antibiotic resistance and its complexities. Antimicrobial resistance is a grave threat to global public health, and understanding its intricacies is crucial in combating this growing issue. The research serves as a call to action for healthcare providers and individuals alike to be mindful of the medications they are taking and their potential impact on antibiotic resistance.
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