super-bug

‘super-bug’

a nickname, generally used in biological terms to refer to specific BACTERIA with one or more enhanced phenotypic properties beyond those which are usual and that may produce detrimental effects. Examples include:

(a) bacterial strains resistant to many different antibiotics (see MULTIPLE DRUG RESISTANCE), such as multiply resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Such super-bugs render many drugs useless in combating the infections caused by these organisms and sometimes defy the last line of antibiotic defence.
(b) Extremely radiation-resistant Deinococcus radiodurans, surviving doses that would kill most bacteria; and
(c) the genetically modified bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas developed by A.M. Chakrabarty and capable of degrading multiple hydrocarbons, for use in clearing oil spills.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

References in periodicals archive ?

A 2014 study at Auburn University in Alabama found that MRSA - a super-bug resistant to many antibiotic treatments - can live for a week in the fabric of a seat pocket nestled in a small blob of saliva.

The airline seat of the future will clean itself

A new super-bug which can cause infertility has been sweeping the United Kingdom these days.

Sexually transmitted bug is sweeping UK

Widespread use of antibiotics over a long period of time targeting this bacterium is believed to have resulted in the emergence of acne super-bug strains that are resistant to first-line antibiotics.

Research by Ulster University to tackle antibiotic resistant acne

A COVENTRY pensioner died after catching a deadly super-bug as he lay in his hospital bed.

MAN, 89, DIED AFTER CATCHING SUPERBUG IN CITY HOSPITAL

Scientists find drug-resistant super-bug. Scientists say they have discovered new drug-resistant bacteria that appear to be spreading worldwide.

Scientists find drug-resistant super-bug

Cases of the super-bug MRSA, which is resistant to many antibiotics, have halved compared with August last year from 32 cases to 15.

Hospital is winning in 'bug' battle

At least nine wounded soldiers have contracted the MRSA super-bug while being treated in hospital - and that is just the number admitted to by the Ministry of Defence.

VOICE OF THE SUNDAY Mirror: Treat troops with respect

WASHING hands in soap and warm water is the best method to combat the clostridium difficile (C.difficile) super-bug claims a recent Canadian study.

Soap and water best at killing C.difficle super bug

Hospital bosses say it is because strict measures have been put in place to tackle the super-bug infection.

'HOSPITAL CRACKDOWN BEATING SUPER-BUGS'

Rates of the MRSA super-bug have soared in the past decade, with hospital cleanliness largely blamed for helping infection to spread.

Patients are 'bringing MRSA into hospital with them'

A hospital has been forced to pay damages to a patient who contracted the super-bug MRSA in what lawyers said was the first reported case of its kind.

Woman awarded super-bug pay-out

Colin Evans, 71, was diagnosed with the super-bug after his wife became increasingly concerned about his health.