[livi]

There is a very clear correlation between use of antibiotics and bacterial resistance toward it. It is a very nice, classic, example of Evolution in motion. Survival of the fittest. First, different types of bacteria have inherently different types of resistance. The sensitive types will die, leaving more life space to the resistant ones. Bacteria also have a phenomenal capacity for changing their protein synthesis, with random mutations producing even more resistant strains. Basically, the more antibiotics and particularly broad spectrum ABīs (kills several types of bacteria), the more the bacteria have to come up with ways to protect themselves. This is a fact for almost all kinds of bacteria, MRSA being just one, albeit numerous.

There is statistically a very close correlation between number of individuals treated with antibiotics and level of resistance.

In Sweden we are still lucky. We have had a very strict policy for decades, not to prescribe any ABīs if not really necessary. Hence we have still a very 'virgin' flora of bacteria. It is still often possible to treat outpatients with simple Penicillin for ear infections and pneumonia.

On the other hand, in many souther European countries, that has become almost impossible. They now need broad spectrum ABīs for most infections. This leading even more resistance, craving even broader antibiotics. It is a vicious circle.