What is trending in antibiotic resistance?4 answersTrending in antibiotic resistance is the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, posing significant challenges globally. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making common antibiotics ineffective against bacterial infections. Studies highlight the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in pathogens like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii, with varying resistance rates over the years. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated antibiotic resistance due to increased antibiotic consumption for bacterial co-infections in COVID-19 patients. Alternative therapies such as phage therapy, immune stimulation, vaccination, and topical agents are being explored to combat AMR. Monitoring resistance trends and implementing timely precautions are crucial to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance in public health.
What are the primary factors contributing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and viruses?5 answersThe primary factors contributing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and viruses include overprescribing and misuse of antibiotics, liberal availability of antimicrobials, societal factors like increasing immunosuppressed individuals, unnecessary antibiotic use driven by patient demands, changing population age structure, and the rise of institutional care environments. Additionally, the inappropriate use of antibiotics in agriculture, particularly as growth promoters in animals, plays a significant role in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Plasmid-mediated resistance genes, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), also contribute to antibiotic resistance by facilitating the spread of drug-resistant genes across bacterial species. These factors collectively accelerate the evolution of resistance, posing a severe threat to global health and necessitating urgent action to combat antimicrobial resistance.
What methods could be used to detect novel antimicrobial resistance genes?4 answersVarious methods can be used to detect novel antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Molecular tests such as sequence-based assays, hybridization-based tests, amplification-based tests, and immunoassays are commonly used for this purpose. Sequence-based assays involve evaluating genome sequences to identify resistant genes, while hybridization-based tests use nucleic acid probes to target gene sequences for detection. Amplification-based tests amplify target gene sequences to allow for detection, and immunoassays rely on antibodies to bind to target genes or their products for detection. In addition to these molecular methods, high-throughput bioinformatics tools can be used to examine and anticipate AMR from sequence data. Machine learning frameworks have also shown promise in uncovering novel AMR genes that have not yet been implicated in resistance. Functional screening and sequence-specific screening of metagenomic DNA can provide insights into the presence of AMR genes and their associated mechanisms of resistance. Overall, a combination of molecular and computational approaches can aid in the detection of novel AMR genes.
What are the public health challenges of drug resistance?3 answersAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as a global health and development threat. An accurate estimate of the AMR burden is needed to prioritize resource allocation for strategies to prevent and control AMR. Mechanistic understanding of how AMR leads to worse outcomes will inform infection management. AMR poses a challenge for public health due to the growing problem of communicating its urgency and scope to patients. Patients are often unaware of the detrimental effects of antibiotics beyond the recipient, which fuels demand for unnecessary antibiotic use. Antibiotics themselves have second-hand effects beyond the individual recipient, which need to be communicated to patients. The failure of control measures to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria in healthcare environments has led to an alarming increase in infections caused by resistant bacteria. Limited therapeutic options for resistant bacteria and the concentration of risk factors for multiresistance in certain populations further complicate the clinical scenario. Preventive measures, stewardship programs, and increased awareness among health professionals are needed to combat antimicrobial resistance.
What is the latest bacteria identified as antibiotic resistant?3 answersThe latest bacteria identified as antibiotic resistant include Aliarcobacter spp., Aeromonas spp., Cronobacter spp., Vibrio spp., Clostridioides difficile, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, Salmonella enterica, Streptocccus suis, Campylobacter jejuni, Helicobacter pylori, Listeria monocytogenes, and Yersinia enterocolitica. Additionally, extensively drug resistant (XDR) isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been identified as antibiotic resistant.
What is the causes of bacterial resistance?5 answersBacterial resistance is caused by a variety of factors including overuse and inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. The broad and indiscriminate use of antibiotics has resulted in selective pressure on bacteria, leading to the development and spread of resistant strains. Other factors that contribute to the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria include the use of antibiotics in agriculture, the lack of novel drugs on the market, and the spread of resistance genes between bacteria. Additionally, poor infection control practices, inadequate hygiene, and substandard antimicrobial stewardship programs in healthcare settings also contribute to the generation and dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Poverty at individual, health system, and national levels further promotes factors such as antimicrobial misuse, prophylactic use, diagnostic imprecision, and interpersonal spread, which contribute to the selection and dissemination of resistant strains.