Microbial Resistance Movements: An Overview of Global Public Health Threats Posed by Antimicrobial Resistance, and How Best to Counter

Abstract

Antibiotics changed medical practice by significantly decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with bacterial infection. However, infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death in the world. There is global concern about the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which affects both developed and developing countries. AMR is a public health challenge with extensive health, economic, and societal implications. This paper sets AMR in context, starting with the history of antibiotics, including the discovery of penicillin and the golden era of antibiotics, before exploring the problems and challenges we now face due to AMR. Among the factors discussed is the low level of development of new antimicrobials and the irrational prescribing of antibiotics in developed and developing countries. A fundamental problem is the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding antibiotics among medical practitioners, and we explore this aspect in some depth, including a discussion on the KAP among medical students. We conclude with suggestions on how to address this public health threat, including recommendations on training medical students about antibiotics, and strategies to overcome the problems of irrational antibiotic prescribing and AMR.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Antimicrobial Uses and Resistance Among Public University Students in Bangladesh

“…There is an urgent need for inter and intra-sectoral collaboration and cooperation among all health-related stakeholders of both national and international level-based primary health care concept to minimize the risk of antimicrobial resistance. [85][86][87][88][89] Key Messages…”

The Short Lipopeptides (C10)2-KKKK-NH2 and (C12)2-KKKK-NH2 Protect HaCaT Keratinocytes from Bacterial Damage Caused by Staphylococcus aureus Infection in a Co-Culture Model

“…This can be achieved by antimicrobial treatment. Growing resistance of both bacteria and fungi to existing drugs is currently a worldwide concern [ 11 ]. Antibiotic resistance is associated with failure of clinical treatments, additional mortality, and increased health care costs [ 12 ].…”

Commentary: Microbial Resistance Movements: An Overview of Global Public Health Threats Posed by Antimicrobial Resistance, and How Best to Counter

“…A recently published article in “Frontiers in Public Health” has highlighted the importance of microbial resistance movements to reduce the burden of superbug-induced infections ( 1 ). The authors have elaborated on the genesis of antimicrobial drugs and listed the challenges of producing the newer generation of drugs to combat existing drug-resistant pathogens ( 1 ).…”

“…A recently published article in “Frontiers in Public Health” has highlighted the importance of microbial resistance movements to reduce the burden of superbug-induced infections ( 1 ). The authors have elaborated on the genesis of antimicrobial drugs and listed the challenges of producing the newer generation of drugs to combat existing drug-resistant pathogens ( 1 ). Although the authors briefly touched on the irrational prescription of antimicrobial drugs in the both developed and developing countries, the review article did not discuss in depth the regulatory enforcement procedures to minimize the antimicrobial resistance ( 1 ).…”

“…The authors have elaborated on the genesis of antimicrobial drugs and listed the challenges of producing the newer generation of drugs to combat existing drug-resistant pathogens ( 1 ). Although the authors briefly touched on the irrational prescription of antimicrobial drugs in the both developed and developing countries, the review article did not discuss in depth the regulatory enforcement procedures to minimize the antimicrobial resistance ( 1 ). The opportunities and challenges of global standardization of the antimicrobial prescription processes were not explained in detail in the publication ( 1 ).…”