Their frequent mixture within humans--compounded by our misuse and abuse of these antibio-tics in soaps and meat--along with their ability to swap DNA with other species, make it easy for them to spread acquired resistance.

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However, some strains of the bacteria have now acquired some resistance to one or more of the antibiotics commonly used to treat them.

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Community-acquired antibiotic resistance becomes a problem when patients who use antibiotics frequently for mild illnesses require therapy for more serious conditions, such as infections that develop as a result of surgery or cancer-related complications.

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