Combatting Antibiotic Resistance

What does Antibiotic Resistance mean?

Antibiotics are drugs utilized to avert and manage bacterial infections.

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria adapt due to the application of these drugs. These bacteria can subsequently infect humans and are more difficult to treat than non-resistant ones.

Factors contributing to Antimicrobial Resistance

Abuse of Antibiotics: The overuse and improper use of antibiotics in both humans and animals significantly contribute to antimicrobial resistance.

Insufficient Dosage: When antibiotics are administered at incorrect dosages and for less than the advised duration, it may result in the incomplete elimination of the intended microorganisms, permitting the remaining bacteria to become resistant.

Self-Medication: Taking antibiotics without appropriate medical advice leads to their misuse.

Usage of Antibiotics in Food Animals: The application of antibiotics as growth enhancers in livestock and poultry is a widespread practice that subsequently permeates the food chain.

Absence of lab facilities: More than 50-70% of antibiotics prescribed by doctors are unwarranted because of inaccurate infection diagnosis.

Restricted availability of inexpensive rapid diagnostic tests adds to this problem.

Regarding the New Pharmaceutical Candidate

Aim: Focuses on infections triggered by KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, a superbug identified as a top-priority threat by the WHO.

Mechanism: The recently identified molecule is part of a category of β-lactamase inhibitor medications that stop bacterial enzymes from degrading essential antibiotics.

Compound 3b exhibits high specificity, is safe for human cells, and works in synergy with Meropenem to eliminate resistant bacteria.

Combat Antibiotic Resistance

Initiatives to Combat Antibiotic Resistance

India’s Red Line initiative: Which calls for prescription-only antibiotics to be highlighted with a red line, aims to curb the unauthorized sale of antibiotics – is an advancement.

National Antibiotic Consumption Network (NAC-NET): The network locations gather information on antibiotic use in their respective healthcare facilities and transmit it to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Way Ahead: Improve Diagnostics: To cut down on the use of empirical antibiotics, make sure quick diagnostic kits are accessible and reasonably priced.

Implement Prescription Laws: severe sanctions for overuse in livestock and non-prescription sales.

Public Awareness: Include instruction on AMR in school curricula and public health campaigns.