Missing Microbes audiobook cover - How the Overuse of Antibiotics is Fueling Our Modern Plagues

Missing Microbes

How the Overuse of Antibiotics is Fueling Our Modern Plagues

Martin Blaser

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Health & NutritionScience

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Missing Microbes
The Microbiome's Role+
Epidemics & Antibiotics+
The Dark Side of Antibiotics+
Agricultural Misuse+
Actionable Solutions+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What analogy does the author use to explain the consequences of losing a single bacterial species in the human gut?
  • A. The eradication of saber-toothed tigers by early human hunters.
  • B. The removal of wolves from Yellowstone National Park.
  • C. The effect of chemical herbicides on a flower garden.
  • D. The spread of the Black Death in medieval European cities.
Question 2 of 7
According to the book, what is the relationship between humans and microbes in terms of survival?
  • A. Humans and microbes are entirely codependent and would both perish without the other.
  • B. Microbes rely on human hosts for survival, but humans could survive without microbes.
  • C. Humans depend entirely on microbes for survival, but microbes would continue to thrive without humans.
  • D. Neither humans nor microbes strictly depend on each other, but they mutually benefit from coexistence.
Question 3 of 7
Why were bacterial epidemics NOT an existential threat to early human ancestors?
  • A. Early humans possessed a much more diverse and resilient microbiome than modern humans.
  • B. Pathogenic bacteria had not yet evolved to infect human hosts effectively.
  • C. The global climate during early human history was too cold for most pathogenic bacteria to survive outside a host.
  • D. Early humans lived as hunter-gatherers in small, isolated tribes, preventing pathogens from spreading widely.
Question 4 of 7
What are the two primary reasons antibiotics are heavily administered to farm animals in the United States?
  • A. To prevent the spread of diseases in unsanitary conditions and to promote physical growth.
  • B. To cure active infections in sick animals and to improve the taste of the meat.
  • C. To sterilize the animals' living environments and to reduce the need for nutrient-rich feed.
  • D. To increase the animals' natural immunity and to extend their lifespan before slaughter.
Question 5 of 7
How did a routine course of antibiotics contribute to the death of Peggy Lillis from a Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection?
  • A. The antibiotics directly mutated the C. diff bacteria into a highly lethal, toxic strain.
  • B. The antibiotics wiped out competing healthy bacteria in her gut, allowing the C. diff to rapidly spread and produce toxins.
  • C. The antibiotics suppressed her immune system's white blood cells, making her unable to fight off the infection.
  • D. The antibiotics contained traces of C. diff, which accidentally introduced the pathogen into her bloodstream.
Question 6 of 7
What did the 1985 Salmonella outbreak in Chicago reveal about antibiotic use?
  • A. Antibiotics can quickly cure Salmonella if administered within the first 24 hours of infection.
  • B. People who had recently taken antibiotics were more than five times more likely to become ill from the infected milk.
  • C. The Salmonella bacteria had developed resistance to all known antibiotics due to agricultural runoff.
  • D. Taking antibiotics simultaneously with contaminated food neutralizes the harmful bacteria.
Question 7 of 7
Why does the author recommend using ordinary soap instead of modern sanitizers?
  • A. Sanitizers strip the skin of natural oils, leading to severe dermatological conditions.
  • B. Ordinary soap contains natural prebiotics that encourage the growth of healthy bacteria.
  • C. Sanitizers often contain triclosan, which needlessly kills beneficial bacteria on your skin that protect you from harmful germs.
  • D. The alcohol in sanitizers is absorbed into the bloodstream, weakening the body's internal microbiome.

Missing Microbes — Full Chapter Overview

Missing Microbes Summary & Overview

Missing Microbes (2014) explores the strange and microscopic world inside your guts. It sheds light on the crucial role played by microbes – tiny creatures that keep your body happy and healthy – and explains the dangers of overusing antibiotics.

Who Should Listen to Missing Microbes?

  • People curious about the dangers of antibiotics
  • Parents concerned about their children’s health
  • Readers interested in medicine and health

About the Author: Martin Blaser

Dr. Martin Blaser is professor of microbiology and Director of the NYU Human Microbiome Program. His work focuses primarily on bacteria, such as Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter and Salmonella Bacillus anthracis. More recently, his research has focused on the human micro

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