A Microscopic Arms Race: The Battle Against Antibiotic Resistance
The overuse of antibiotics has led to the evolution of resistant strains of bacteria. Strains now exist that elude even the strongest antibacterial agents. The World Health Organization estimates that two million people in the United States are infected with antibiotic- resistant bacteria, resulting in the deaths of 14,000 each year. Once an indispensable weapon in the fight against disease, antibiotics have ushered in a new public health threat.