Years of antibiotic use have fuelled a rise in bacteria that can survive antibiotics. These antibiotic resistant bacteria are competing with and displacing other bacteria that are naturally present in the human gut, where they play a critical role in maintaining good health. Resistant bacteria have led to increased illness and death from diseases that were once easily treatable with antibiotics. Disease ecologist Eric Ng'eno shares findings from his research on how some resistant strains of Escherichia coli bacteria are taking over the guts of people who are otherwise healthy. He suggests how this displacement can be slowed down.
