The CDC put out this advisory warning against a rise in carbapenem-resistant enterobacter, or CRE. This is basically a bacteria that has developed a resistance to carbapenem, one of the “big-guns” antibiotics that we reserve for when all the other antibiotics fail. And apparently, there are bacteria that are becoming resistant to these too.

In the 1920s Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, which would later win him a Nobel Prize because it changed the medical and pharmaceutical world. This discovery made possible the development of antibiotics to treat bacterial diseases. Innumerable lives have been saved because of these medications.

There are now many classes of antibiotics to treat the different bacterial strains that exist, with varying degrees of effectiveness. Researchers are working hard developing new antibiotics because, unfortunately, the bacteria has found a way to survive. Each antibiotic class targets a specific mechanism that the bacteria uses, i.e., to reproduce, infect, etc, and one fortunate mutation (from the view of the bacteria) can render an entire class of antibiotics useless for that organism. This is called developing resistance.

As a result of widespread use of antibiotics, often inappropriately to treat common viral illnesses, there are now many strains of highly resistant bacteria. In addition to MRSA, ESBL, and VRE (other resistant bacterial strains), I can now add CRE to the list of scary things I never want to get (except I’m pretty sure I am colonized with the 1st three from working in the hospital). According to the article, “one report cites they can contribute to death in up to 50% of patients who become infected.” Uh yeah…be careful my hospital-dwelling friends.

This is probably how the zombie apocalypse is going to start with eventually a super mutant bacteria emerging that is so powerful that it not only kills, but reanimates the body afterwards. It’s crazy that despite how smart we are and the fancy technology we develop, the effects of sin will continue to decay the natural order. The Bible tells us that our initial rebellion against God not only affected our relationship with Him, but corrupted the very fabric of creation.

Whereas we were created to be in intimate fellowship with God and others, charged to rule over creation, because of sin now we live alienated from God, in conflict with one another, and at the mercy of the elements. Jesus came to usher in God’s kingdom, to bring us back to how creation was intended before the Fall. We, as believers, are charged to carry on God’s work of restoration through whatever gift God has given us as we live on this earth, awaiting for the process to be completed when Christ returns. What part has God called you to play in His redeeming work?

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Romans 8:18-21