The old enemy returns?.

Antibiotic resistance is the subject of this film. It begins with a dramatic reconstruction of events in 1941 surrounding the first patient to be given penicillin. When penicillin became readily available it seemed that lives would no longer be lost through bacterial infections. But bacteria learn to resist whatever threatens their existence, whether it be mercury (as shown in a laboratory experiment) or penicillin, and they transfer their resistance to other bacteria. When penicillin became less effective, methicilin was developed but before long a methicilin-resistant virus appeared (MRSA) and this has been responsible for closing hospital wards throughout the country. Vancomycin was the next weapon produced by medical science but this is now encountering resistance from enterococci. Hospitals are advised to follow stringent hygienic precautions, giving particular attention to intensive care equipment which can act as a reservoir of infection. Control over the use of antibiotics is urged, and at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital patients are monitored on admission to check what bacteria they may be about to carry onto the wards. patient to be given penicillin