Ignorant Humans, Smart Microbes

Abstract

For centuries, man has searched for ways to obtain power beyond the mortal limits. That impulse for the ultimate, however, is not exclusively humans. Bugs too have it. And it seems that some of them can achieve this, at least, to some extent. These are the multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. These groups of bacteria, which scientists call the “superbugs,” pose great risk to public health because they have developed resistance to make them impervious to powerful antibiotics of last resort.