antimicrobialresistant

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve mechanisms to withstand the drugs used to treat infections they cause. As resistance increases, infections become harder to treat, requiring alternative therapies, longer illnesses, and greater risk of death. AMR threatens medical advances in surgery, cancer care, and obstetrics.

Resistance arises through genetic mutations and horizontal gene transfer, enabling organisms to deactivate drugs, alter drug targets, reduce drug uptake, or pump drugs out of cells. It is driven by selection pressure from antimicrobial use in human medicine, agriculture, and animal husbandry, as well as poor infection prevention and diagnostic gaps.

Health and economic impacts include higher morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays, and increased costs. Complications include MRSA, ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant organisms, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Global responses emphasize surveillance, stewardship, infection prevention, and research. The WHO Global Action Plan and the GLASS surveillance system promote coordinated data collection and policy development. A One Health approach recognizes links among human, animal, and environmental health. Efforts focus on prudent antimicrobial use, vaccination, sanitation, rapid diagnostics, and development of new therapies.

Prevention and management rely on stewardship programs, infection control, evidence-based guidelines, and reduced unnecessary antibiotic use. The future of AMR depends on global cooperation, new antimicrobials, alternative therapies, diagnostics, and better data sharing.