It is very important that we research more into antibiotics for gram- negative bacteria. They are more dangerous than gram positive bacteria because, gram-negative are more resistant against antibodies, because of their hard to penetrate cell membrane. Not only does the cell wall make it harder to kill the bacteria it also makes it harder for the crystal violet dyes, commonly used in making bacteria more visible, to color the bacteria.
This all means it requires a lot of research and testing to acquire a functional antibiotic with mild side effects. The increased regulation for creating antibiotics has made it even harder to produce such drugs. This further complicates the process.
E. coli along with many other gram-negative bacterium are very common in children. The cell wall of gram negative bacteria is comprised of an endotoxin.If endotoxin enters the circulatory system, it causes a toxic reaction, with the sufferer developing a high temperature, high respiration rate, and low blood pressure. In children these symptoms can be very fatal.With the lack of antibiotics available an break of community-acquired pneumonia could cause serious problems.
This relates to class and our experiment which tests if herbal antibiotics are effective against certain bacteria. It will be interesting to see what the results of groups using E. coli are because it is a gram negative bacterium. It would be interesting if we find that herbal remedies have more of an effect of gram negative bacterium.
Therefore I think it is very crucial that more funding should be provided to centers testing gram-negative antibiotics. Do you think that government agencies should provide more funding, in this economy, to programs researching this topic? My answer is yes, it is important to stop the spread of such serious bacteria.
I agree with what you are saying here Brendan. I think its crucial to provide the best possible anti biotics we can produce. With such deadly bacteria out there it should be a major task to find anyway to prevent them. I think any one who knew of a child or their child who got a disease like mentioned above would do anything they could to research more of this type of research. Why wait until it happens to your family or someone you know? Take the actions now to help prevent the spread of this bacteria. It will be worth it in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Brendan this bacteria seems to be like too much of a threat to not get any funding from the government. Earlier you said that the gram negative bacteria is resistant to antibodies, one of the bodies defense mechanisms. Also you said that it can cause a toxic reaction in the body when antibiotics are given to help fight the bacteria. In infants you said that it can cause complications and can lead to something very serious like pneumonia. Also this article is a good connection to the lab that we have done in the previous week of class, which was testing the antibacterial properties of herbs on bacteria such as E. coli (gram negative). This lab was helpful because our group tested the antibacterial properties of ginger against the bacteria E. coli. Our group, like other ginger groups, concluded that ginger inhibits (slows) the growth of E. coli. This could be useful information for helping find a way to defeat the impenetrable gram negative bacterium.
ReplyDeleteBrendan, your post is very enlightening and informative. Until now, I was not aware that there was an entire group of bacteria which resists antibiotics. I am surprised that more effort is not being put into developing an antibiotic which breaks down the resistant cell walls of gram-negative bacteria.
ReplyDeleteOrganizations like the CDC and WHO should make developing suitable antibiotics for gram-negative bacteria a priority. Many gram-negative bacteria are dangerous, such as E. coli. E. coli produces toxins which significantly harm the human body, and can be fatal if not treated properly.
I especially appreciate your connection to the lab which is currently taking place in class. I was lucky enough to test cinnamon's effect on both E. coli and S. epidermidis. S. epidermidis, which is gram positive was almost completely eliminated by the herb, while the gram-negative E. coli was not nearly as reduced. It is a good example of the resistant properties of gram-negative.
In response to your question, I agree with you. The government and health organizations should make the development of more effective antibiotics a priority.
Brendan, I think this was a interesting article you choose and made some vaild points. I agree with you that the goverment should make the development antibitoics a priorty. I also think its important that we are making sure they do not have severe side effects. Many antibiotics can adress one problem and cause anther. Its important that we have funding, time and the resources to create these antibiotics.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys I hope more awareness is brought to this subject.
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