Antibiotic Resistance – An Overview
Ambika Arun1, Esha sinha1,Richa sarkar1
1Phd Scholar, Department of Veterinary Microbiology
Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
INTODUCTION
Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health issue, particularly in developing countries, where relatively easy access to medicines and higher consumption have resulted in a disproportionately higher incidence of inappropriate antibiotic use and higher resistance levels than in developed countries.
ANTIBIOTICS
The word antibiotic means “against life.” Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first natural antibiotic, in 1928. Antibiotics either kill or slow the growth of bacteria.
Antibiotics are potent drugs that treat infections and, when taken correctly, can save lives. They either prevent bacteria from multiplying or kill them. When the number of pathogenic germs is too high, the immune system is unable to fight them all. Antibiotics are useful in this scenario. Not all infections are treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics may be effective against bacterial (germ) infections, but they are ineffective against viruses.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Antibiotics are a powerful germ-fighting tool when used carefully and safely. However, up to half of all antibiotics are unnecessary. Antibacterial resistance has developed as a result of overuse. Bacteria evolve into “super bacteria” or “superbugs” over time. Antibiotics no longer work on them because they have evolved. Because there are no treatments to destroy them, they pose a significant concern.
Antibiotic resistance develops when bacteria develop in response to antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic resistance develops in bacteria, not people or animals. These bacteria can infect both humans and animals, and their infections are more difficult to treat than non-resistant bacteria’s. Antibiotic resistance raises medical expenses, lengthens hospital stays, and raises fatality rates.
CAUSE OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE :
Overuse, Inappropriate prescribing, Extensive Agricultural Use Antimicrobial resistance has been identified as a major public health issue by international organisations such as the World Health Organization, the European Centre for Disease Control, and World Health Assembly resolutions. Addressing the problem will be a major challenge for policymakers and health care providers.
Infectious disease burden in India is among the greatest in the world, and a recent analysis revealed that antimicrobial medicines were used inappropriately and irrationally against these infections, leading to an increase in antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance will make it difficult to control infections in the community and will make health-care delivery ineffective.
EXAMPLES OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
- Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Staphylococcus aureus is a kind of bacteria. Skin and soft tissue infections (cellulitis, abscess), urinary tract infections, osteomyelitis (bone), endocarditis (heart), pneumonia (lung) infections, and meningitis are all examples of infections (brain infection). Beta-lactam drugs, such as methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, and cephalosporins, have developed resistant to MRSA.
2. Drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumonia
Pneumococcal disease is caused by S. pneumoniae. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most prevalent bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), a dangerous lung illness.
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus(VRE)
Enteroccocci are bacteria that are found in the human body in places like the intestines and the female vaginal system.
4. Multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Infections can happen anywhere: the bloodstream, the lungs (pneumonia), the skin and soft tissue (burns), severe UTIs and stomach infections, the heart, the brain, catheter-related infections, and surgical sites.
5. Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
- difficile causes life-threatening watery or bloody diarrhoea, as well as colitis (colon inflammation), in patients who have recently received medical attention and antibiotic treatment.
6. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
Infections with CRE are most common in hospitals, nursing homes, and patients who have urinary or intravenous catheters, are on ventilators, or have come into contact with endoscopes or duodenoscopes.
- Multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MDR-TB)
MDR-TB causes tuberculosis (a bacterial lung infection) that is resistant to a variety of antibiotics, including isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (both of which are commonly used as first-line medicines).
8. Carbapenam-resistant Acinetobacter
People with weakened immune systems, such as hospitalised patients, are more likely to get an Acinetobacter bacterial infection, which is resistant to several widely prescribed medications. Healthy adults with a strong immune system are not at danger from Acinetobacter.
9. Drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae
The sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea is caused by N. gonorrhoeae. Most medications used to treat gonorrhoea have gained resistance worldwide (penicillins, teracyclines, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones).
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
- If your doctor says you don’t need them, believe them.
- Do not use them if you have a viral infection.
- Only take the medications that your doctor has prescribed.
- Follow the directions on the package.
- Don’t miss any dosages.
- Take these for the whole number of days prescribed by your doctor.
- Don’t put them off until later.
WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE?
Antibiotic resistance is being addressed through programmes initiated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
New research on effective antibiotic regimens, vaccines, and diagnostic tests is also encouraged by the FDA. In reality, several new, creative antibiotics for treating dangerous infections have been approved in the previous decade.
