It reads like a horror story: Mariana Bridi was young and beautiful, a finalist for the past two years in the Brazilian stage of the Miss Wrld Pageant. She showed great promise as a model, and was beginning to attract serious attention.

Late in December, the young model was treated in Brazil for what the doctors presumed were kidney stones. She developed a urinary infection, which was being treated. On January 3, she was admitted to hospital with dangerously low blood pressure, and was diagnosed with septic shock. Her urinary tract infection had spread to her bloodstream.

Worse, the infection was a result of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a drug that has been shown to be drug-resistant in some cases. This past week, Mariana Bridi died, despite having her hands and feet amputated in an attempt to save her life.

How could this happen to one so young and healthy? It is not the first time, and it does not occur only in foreign countries. In 2006, White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles was the place where five infants contracted the deadly infection. Three survived, while two did not.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogen (“bug”) isolated from patients who have been in hospital longer than a week. It can cause illness such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and bacteraemia, or infection in the bloodstream. The bacterium is especially deadly for patients whose immune system is weak or compromised. The CDC estimates that the prevalence of this bacterium in US hospitals is 4 out of every 1000 patients hospitalized.

Scientists have been concerned about the rise of antibiotic resistant organisms for several years, as several have been identified, including P. aeruginosa. The ARO’s, as they are referred to, have mutated to become resistant to many of the antibiotics that scientists have in their arsenal to treat such infections. There are several reasons scientists propose these ARO’s are becoming more prevalent:

Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics-many antibiotics are prescribed for infections that are likely viral in nature (and are thus not amenable to antibiotic therapy); many times this occurs because patients demand antibiotics and doctors prescribe them to satisfy their patients.

Improper use of antibiotics-many patients quit taking their antibiotics when they start feeling better and before the medication has been finished, allowing the bugs to mutate

The use of items in the household that are impregnated with low levels of antibiotics, such as he use of antibacterial soap

Livestock are fed antibiotics to promote their rapid growth

What can you do to protect yourself? Do your part by not demanding that your physician prescribe antibiotics unless they are truly necessary to treat a bacterial infection. When you are prescribed an antibiotic, take it exactly as prescribed and be sure to finish the entire prescription. Don’t share your unfinished antibiotics with others. See your doctor if your infection does not seem to be clearing despite the proper use of your antibiotic.

Related Links:

Video: Tips for Finding a Doctor from illumistream

The Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Organisms from the FDA

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections from eMedicine