Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic Resistance

General Overview

  • Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of antibiotics and become resistant.
  • Bacteria, not humans or animals, become antibiotic-resistant.
  • These bacteria may infect humans and animals, and the infections they cause are harder to treat than non-resistant infections.

Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance

  • Resistance can occur through mutation or acquisition of resistance genes from other bacteria via horizontal gene transfer.
  • Mechanisms include enzymatic degradation or alteration of the antibiotic, alteration of the target site that the antibiotic binds to, or changes in metabolic pathways to bypass the antibiotic effect.

Factors Contributing to Antibiotic Resistance

  • Overusage or misuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance.
  • Lack of new antibiotics being developed.
  • Poor infection control in hospitals and clinics.
  • Insufficient or improper cleaning of environmental surfaces and medical devices.

Consequences of Antibiotic Resistance

  • Diseases that were once easily treatable with antibiotics become harder to cure and more costly to treat.
  • Patients remain infectious for longer, increasing the risk of spreading resistant microorganisms to others.
  • Increased mortality: antibiotic resistance leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality.

Prevention and Control of Antibiotic Resistance

  • Use antibiotics only when prescribed by a certified health professional.
  • Never demand antibiotics if your health worker says you don’t need them.
  • Always complete the full prescription, even if you feel better.
  • Never share or use leftover antibiotics.
  • Prevent infections by regularly washing hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and keeping vaccinations up-to-date.

Understanding antibiotic resistance is crucial for the development of new strategies to fight bacterial infections. It is a topic of paramount importance to public health worldwide.