Antibiotic Resistance: A Looming Global Threat
This medical journal article discusses the ever-present threat that is antibiotic resistance. Through extensive research, I was able to succinctly summarize the issue and gather important information on how the everyday person can help combat it. Writing in this more clinical, academic manner requires a focused approach and is an area of writing I’ve enjoyed exploring.
Introduction
One of the largest threats currently facing the globe is the looming threat of antibiotic/antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In 2019, nearly 5 million deaths were attributed to AMR, and over 2.8 million in the U.S. face AMR infections yearly, CDC reports(1). It affects people of all ages, animals, and even agriculture. AMR happens when drugs designed to kill bacteria, fungi and other germs are no longer able to do so, allowing them to grow instead and leading to extremely difficult-to-treat infections that don’t respond to typical drugs used to fight them.
Abstract
In addition to the number of deaths attributed to AMR yearly, the effects of AMR can include longer hospitalizations and recovery, more and more serious illness, costs are often higher, and a number of other serious effects, says the Mayo Clinic(2). These infections are, by definition, much harder to treat, contain and control since they are resistant to typical treatments. Says the CDC(1), “In some cases, these infections have no treatment options.” Antibiotic treatment is imperative, for example, in transplants and cancer patients, who have no alternatives.
AMR can occur naturally, but another factor majorly contributing to it is misuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals. “When already hard-to-treat germs have the right combination of resistance mechanisms, it can make all antibiotics or antifungals ineffective, resulting in untreatable infections,” explains the CDC(1). When antibiotics kill all of the good, helpful bacteria, only these resistant germs remain, allowing them to run rampant. From there, these resistant germs can spread from person to person, city, to state, and eventually worldwide.
“The overuse and misuse of antibiotics are key factors leading to antibiotic resistance,” explains the Mayo Clinic(2). This is why it is imperative to take antibiotics as directed, meaning taking the full dose for the prescribed amount of time, and not taking them when not needed, such as for a viral infection. Pressuring doctors to prescribe antibiotics is strongly discouraged, as taking them for viral infections won’t help, and only helps promote AMR. Antibiotics are sometimes also used to encourage growth in livestock, another practice that is strongly discouraged. In fact, “antibiotic use in animals and agriculture can lead to antibiotic resistance in bacteria that can spread to humans and other animals through direct contact or contaminated food.” (NYS Dept. of Health, 2022) Of course, taking measures to avoid infections altogether are also a first line of defense against antibiotic overuse.
Methods
The FDA is approving new antibiotics to treat resistant bacteria, adjusting labeling regulations, promoting awareness, and encouraging scientists to develop more new antibiotics, among other things. (FDA, 2019) The WHO is improving awareness, bolstering their research efforts, taking efforts to reduce infection, and making sustainable investments in AMR, among other things. They are also offering guidance to policymakers and health professionals around this crisis, including recommendations to take measures to prevent the spread of infection and for the responsible use of antibiotics. (WHO, 2020)
Results
Every day, new efforts are made in the fight to reduce AMR. For example, a new compound, COE2-2hexyl, “displayed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. This compound cured mice infected with clinical bacterial isolates derived from patients with refractory bacteremia and did not evoke bacterial resistance.” (Heithoff, et al., 2023) This compound is a promising example of new drugs that are just on the horizon. The following are recommendations for preventing AMR:
Only take antibiotics that have been prescribed to you by your healthcare provider
Do not pressure your healthcare provider into prescribing antibiotics
Do not skip doses or stop taking your antibiotic before prescribed
Do not give leftover antibiotics to others or use them yourself for a different illness
Keep up with vaccinations
Take steps to prevent infection including regular handwashing, cautious food preparation, and staying away from sick people
Prepare food safely and hygienically
Discussion
Due to natural causes as well as overuse and misuse of antibiotics, AMR has become a real and growing threat. It hospitalizes and kills millions yearly, and the consequences for those affected are severe and often life-threatening, not to mention costly. There is hope, as there are measures we can take to ensure we are fighting the spread of infection and using antibiotics responsibly. In addition, new drugs are being researched and created to help fight AMR bugs. We must all work together globally to fight infection and stop the spread of AMR.
Citations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 5). About Antimicrobial Resistance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 26, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about.html#:~:text=Antimicrobial%20resistance%20happens%20when%20germs,and%20sometimes%20impossible%2C%20to%20treat.
Commissioner, O. of the. (2019, October 29). Combating Antibiotic Resistance. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved February 26, 2023, from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/combating-antibiotic-resistance
Heithoff, D. M., Mahan, S. P., V, L. B., Leyn, S. A., George, C. X., Zlamal, J. E., Limwongyut, J., Bazan, G. C., Fried, J. C., Fitzgibbons, L. N., House, J. K., Samuel, C. E., Osterman, A. L., Low, D. A., & Mahan, M. J. (2023, February 15). A broad-spectrum synthetic antibiotic that does not evoke bacterial resistance. eBioMedicine. Retrieved February 26, 2023, from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(23)00026-9/fulltext
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, March 11). Antibiotics: Are you misusing them? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 26, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/antibiotics/art-20045720
World Health Organization. (2020, July 31). Antibiotic Resistance. World Health Organization. Retrieved February 26, 2023, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance
Department of Health. Antibiotic Resistance. (2022, November). Retrieved February 26, 2023, from https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/protocols_and_guidelines/antibiotic_resistance/