General Discussion

Abstract

Gould: In making some general remarks I would like to suggest that we do not go on record as making the mistake of forming an anti-antibiotic crusade. There seems to be a tendency when microbiologists interested in antibiotics get together, to give the impression of exaggerating the harmful effects of these agents, particularly with respect to antibiotic-resistant strains. Prof. >Williams, earlier today, did hint at this when he referred back to the literature about staphylococci in the early and mid 1950’s. If one goes back and looks at this literature one does indeed get the impression that antibiotic-resistant staphylococci were preponderant in infections. I think that this exaggerated reporting is showing itself again in our discussions on the transfer of resistance amongst micro-organisms (infectious resistance) and in the possible transfer of resistant pathogens from animals to man. There is no doubt that the mechanisms for the development of antibiotic-resistance in organisms, whether by transduction, transformation or conjugation followed by genetic transfer do occur and that selection of resistant genotypes can be encouraged by the use of antibiotics, but the important question is how much do they actually influence the population at large?