Reasons for Broader Development of Resistance
I think it's just a straight forward list. As our population of older and more immunocompromised patients becomes larger, there becomes a greater requirement for dependency on the potency of new agents to compensate for decreased host resistance to infection. More frequent use of complicated surgical procedures, I mentioned that. Sophisticated support system, ventilation. If you are not using a clean system, you may be actually pumping the organisms into that patient. That's been reported before. The misuse of antibiotics by health profession and patients. That refers to the practice where physicians may prescribe antibacterials for patients who have an adenovirus or other viral infection. Right now, the antibacterials are not going to do anything to that virus. If I had a history of bacterial pneumonia, my physician might prescribe an antibacterial to protect me from opportunistic bacteria that might be present and lead to development of pneumonia. But for the virus itself, it doesn't do anything. Unfortunately, we have still misuse of antibiotics resulting from patients demanding or expecting some sort of antibiotic at the doctor's office. It's just a fact. They walk into the physician. Where is my drug? They want something. We've got to break this thing and continue to educate both groups. Unconfirmed diagnosis of bacterial infection in hospitals, we're getting more rapid diagnostic procedures. Hopefully, the physicians will use the hospital's lab much more hand to hand and as the results come in, prescribe the drug that is most appropriate. May be it's not a bacterial infection and an antibacterial would be inappropriate or the best drug is used. Now, in emergencies, many times you can't wait for lab results. There is going to be a lot of cases where you as a physician can't wait for that. We understand that. So you have to blanket the possibilities of bacterial pathogen. But use of the hospital laboratory is much more efficient.
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