ScienceAugust 4, 2026

superbug

SOO-per-bug

Definition

A strain of bacteria, fungus, or virus that has become resistant to most or all available antibiotics and antifungal treatments.

Etymology

The word is a 20th-century compound combining the prefix 'super-', meaning 'above' or 'beyond,' with 'bug,' a colloquial term for a microorganism or pathogen. It gained widespread usage in journalism and medicine to describe highly resistant infectious agents.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe Candida auris, highlighting that it is particularly dangerous because standard medical treatments are ineffective against it.

Fungal 'Superbug' is on the Rise in Southern US Hotspots

Read the full article ↗

mb.ntd.com

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