Antibiotic-resistant germs found to actually feed off antibiotics

Several strains of bacteria in the soil can make a meal of the world's most potent antibiotics, researchers said in a startling finding that illustrates the extent to which these germ-fighting drugs are losing the war against superbugs. - Reuters

Over at NewsDaily.com ( http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/n03434274-bacteria-antibiotics/) there is a story about recent research into drug-resistant bacteria. In soil samples from fields with cows that were fed antibiotics, the researchers found strains of bacteria which were not only resistant to the drugs, but could actually feed off of them for nourishment. Thankfully, none of the bacteria found to be capable of chowing down on our most potent super-drugs are dangerous to humans. Unfortunately, it shows just how fast they can adapt, and why restraint is called for when prescribing antibiotics in general. Aside from the health implications, the science is fascinating.