We consider how far resistance can be controlled, and how. Chapter 8 considers the special problems of resistance in viruses, and Chapter 9 considers international issues including malaria. Chapter 10 considers the sources of support for research and data-collection. Our recommendations are set out in Chapter 11, and summarised in Chapter 12. Appendix 7 contains notes on some important antimicrobial agents, Appendix 8 a glossary of other terms, and Appendix 9 a list of acronyms.
All antibiotic resistance has a genetic basis.
This resistance probably evolved as a response to exposure to antibiotics present in the natural environment. Many such organisms pose no threat to healthy people, but may become important pathogens in vulnerable patients in hospital. Examples include the Pseudomonas species and some Enterococci. These mutations have occurred randomly in a small proportion of the particular bacterial population. The most familiar example is seen in the bacterium causing tuberculosis, where a few organisms are naturally resistant to, for example, streptomycin.