How do bacteria become resistant to penicillin?

Answer 1

Penicillin resistance became evident in the 1940's (Huemer and Challem 1997). Bacteria can be resistant to penicillin in different ways. Some can break down the penicillin or they make an enzyme to disguise themselves from it (B. Zimmerman and D. Zimmerman 1996). Staph bacteria developed the ability to cut the beta-lactam ring or the shape of the penicillin. After this resistance was discovered, the beta-lactam ring was altered in 1960 so that the staph bacteria were no longer resistant. This brought about a new form of penicillin called methicillin, but resistance soon started to show and this antibiotic was altered again to create vancomycin (P. Offit, B. Offit, and Bell 1999).

Answer 2

Bacteria whose "parents" have been exposed to an antibiotic sometimes develop resistance...not real immunity. Some resistance is caused by improper administration of antibiotics ...such as, you may feel better after taking an antibiotic for 3 days...so you decide you will save the rest of the pills for the next time you get sick....or you just stop taking them. But even though the "bugs" have experienced major population control/extermination, there will still be some bacteria that will continue to reproduce. Some of the next generation of bacteria will have figured out a way to change their DNA so the antibiotic cannot kill them off so easily. Resistance is also caused by taking too many antibiotics.

It is best to finish your prescribed antibiotics. Generally, if an antibiotic has not done it's job...or seem like it is working...within the first 2 days for most acute infections, then you might need a different antibiotic....because the bug you have caught is resistant or because the antibiotic you were given is not able to kill the specific bug you have. Amoxicillin is not going to treat all infections...some bugs need Cipro, Keflex, Zithromax, etc....

Some doctors stress a 24 hour improvement period...just depends on what kind of infection it is or whether you need to be hospitalized for IV antibiotics. If you have cellulitis....your doctor may give you an antibiotic and tell you to call the next day to see how much of the redness has gone away...if it is getting worse, you risk blood poisoning unless you get a stronger antibiotic and this is usually administered in the hospital. You may want to research MRSA. You will findthe biography of a super resistant bacterium...

Answer 3

Bacteria can become resistant to penicillin through mutations that alter the structure of their cell wall or produce enzymes that break down the antibiotic. Additionally, bacteria can acquire resistance genes from other bacteria through processes like conjugation or transformation. Overuse or misuse of penicillin can also contribute to the development of resistance.