Final answer:
The charts likely illustrate the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, correlating their spread with antibiotic overuse. They help explain how imprudent antibiotic use leads to 'super bugs' like MRSA, and the issues faced when patients prematurely stop treatment, such as with tuberculosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The charts on pages 15-17 are likely to provide a visual representation of the data related to the number of illnesses and deaths caused by antibiotic resistance. These charts could detail the variety of bacteria that have become resistant, the growth in the number of resistant strains over time, and possibly the geographical spread of these bacteria. They may also show the correlation between the usage patterns of antibiotics in both healthcare and agriculture with the rise in resistance. This supports the understanding of how imprudent antibiotic usage contributes to the selection pressure that leads to the evolution of 'super bugs,' including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which pose significant difficulties in treatment.
The overuse of antibiotics creates an environment where bacteria with resistance genes can survive and proliferate, which is a key factor in the development of antibiotic resistance. When patients discontinue treatment prematurely, as in the case with tuberculosis, non-resistant strains are eliminated but resistant ones may persist and multiply, leading to reinfection or spread of the resistant strain, further exacerbating the problem of antibiotic resistance.