Due to misuse of antibiotics, many harmful bacteria have mutated in such a way that they are no longer susceptible to antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance has lead to a steep increase of death rates from certain infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This ‘silent epidemic’ already affects hundreds of thousands of Americans. MRSA alone causes tens of thousands of deaths each year in the U.S. Often, the burden of antibiotic resistance is borne by the most vulnerable in our society: children, the elderly and those with already weakened immune systems, such as people undergoing chemotherapy.
Antibiotic-resistant Foodborne Pathogens
MRSA and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium are examples of antibiotic resistant bacteria that cause serious problems in hospitals today. These resistant foodborne pathogens should not be neglected. Various outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains (Heidelberg, Typhimurium, Newport and Hadar), originating from ground beef, ground turkey or turkey burgers, have been reported in the U.S. in recent years. Outbreaks were also caused by several resistant serotypes of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and resistant Campylobacter jejuni.