antibiotic resistance

Definition

When bacteria evolve faster than pharmaceutical companies can say 'patent pending,' rendering previously effective antibiotics about as useful as thoughts and prayers. Evolution in action, unfortunately on the wrong team.

Example Usage

The wound culture showed antibiotic resistance to everything except the drugs that cost more than a used car.

Origin

Term emerged in 1940s shortly after penicillin's widespread use

Fun Fact

If current trends continue, antibiotic resistance could kill 10 million people annually by 2050, making it deadlier than cancer.

Source: Infectious disease and public health terminology

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