AWARENESS ABOUT ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
class="MsoNormal">Antibiotics or antimicrobial agents are substances that fight against bacteria for the treatment of diseases caused by them. Antimicrobial Resistance is defined as the survival of these bacteria in the presence of these antibiotics. Due to increasing antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, it is very difficult to treat bacterial infections by Antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial agents target following metabolism like inhibition of cell wall synthesis, inhibition of protein synthesis, interference in the membrane, inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis, etc. Antimicrobial Resistance may be acquired either by mutation or by acquiring resistance genes from other organisms. The resistance gene that is acquired does either of the following actions to prevent antimicrobial agents it produces an enzyme to eliminate the drug, could modify the drug target site, produces an efflux system to prevent the drug from reaching the target site, or overcome the activity of drugs produce alternate metabolic pathways.BIRTH OF ANTIBIOTIC ERA
In 1928, Alexander Fleming, a Scottish
Bacteriologist successfully isolated a substance called "penicillin"
the first true antibiotic from a fungus called Penicillium notatum. This
molecule showed Antimicrobial activity against colonies of Staphylococcus marking the birth of the
antibiotic era.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL
SUSCEPTIBILITY
Antimicrobial Resistance refers to the
survival of microorganisms in the presence of drugs while Antimicrobial
susceptibility refers to how much extent a drug can effectively kill or inhibit
microorganisms.
ANTIBIOTICS MISUSE
Antibiotic misuse is mainly contributed by
patients. Some patients exert pressure on doctors for viral origin conditions
like flu, cough, sore throat, etc. They even define their symptoms over to take
prescriptions. Also, there is a common practice of purchasing antibiotics
directly from pharmaceutical stores without the prescription of a doctor. Some
people have a common habit of using leftover medicines for future use also
leads to antibiotics misuse because they are kept in uncontrolled conditions and
are used without medical prescription. When the specific microorganisms are not
known for causing a particular disease in other words we can say that diagnosis
was not properly done then broad-spectrum antibiotics are used which kill
several bacteria rather than specific bacteria which is causing a particular
disease.
In 2019 an estimated 1.27 million deaths
occurred due to antibiotic resistance. It is estimated that by 2050, there will
be 10 million deaths annually due to antibiotic resistance, it is even
exceeding projected deaths due to cancer.
SUPERBUGS
Superbugs are bacteria that are resistant to
more than one antibiotic. Simply we can say that they are multi-drug resistant
bacterial pathogens.
To break antibiotic resistance combination
therapy is being used.
HURDLES IN PRODUCING NEW ANTIBIOTICS TO OVERCOME ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
Pharmaceutical companies failed to produce new
antibiotics because of the following reasons:
It is a complex and costly process.
It needs excessive clinical trials.
Lack of understanding of the mechanism behind
the resistance against antibiotics.
FUTURE APPROACHES
Scientists are exploring the fields of
resistance, illness, and prevention. whole genome sequencing (WGS) is the key
element in drug discovery as it detects the resistant pathways. Phage therapy
is also gaining popularity as it is harmless to gut Flora.
AWARENESS ABOUT ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
A first limited Pan-European study suggested
that patients' attitudes varied according to their country of residence.
High-income countries seem to have a positive impact on antimicrobial
resistance as a result of a campaign set up for awareness of antimicrobial
resistance. Through posters and social media campaigns awareness about
antimicrobial resistance could be delivered. Use simple language and
eye-catching graphics, and tailor your message according to the target
audience.
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