Threat of Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae and the Rise of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is no new phenomenon. Evidenced by the presence of intrinsic resistance, microbes have had mechanisms to subvert antimicrobials for a very long time. Improper and poor use of antibiotics has further exacerbated the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the microbial world, posing a significant threat to human health. Among these antibiotic resistant microbes, Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are of particular concern. CRE infections have a relative mortality rate of 50% (Guh et al., 2013). While containing Carbapenem inactivating enzymes, horizontal gene transfer is a powerful force influencing virulence of CRE. Several other factors have led to the current, dire state of antibiotic resistance: frequent and improper use of antibiotics, minimal understanding of fundamental microbiological principles, and lack of focus on unification under a common purpose. International impact necessitates a multifaceted approach focusing on cooperative, and unified efforts.

Name thesis:degree_name

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Level thesis:degree_level

Honors Thesis

Grantor

University of Nevada, Reno

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Staffa, Nicholas Charles

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Courchesne, William

Statement dc:rights

• Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 United States

Language dc:language.iso

en_US, English

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11714/7517

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarwolf.unr.edu:11714/7517