Microbes’ capacity to withstand the effects of medications that were once used to treat them is referred to as antimicrobial and antibacterial resistance.
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Overview of antimicrobial and antibacterial resistance
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogenic microbes is a serious public health concern that could lead to worsening of disease, increased mortality, and increased treatment expenses with few therapeutic alternatives. As projected in the 2014 AMR Review, the death toll from this issue will undoubtedly exceed 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if nothing is done.
The ability of microbes to fend against the effects of antibiotics that were once efficient in killing them off or stopping their growth is known as antimicrobial resistance. Microbes are able to continue growing even after being exposed to antimicrobial drugs due to the development of antibiotic resistance. Pathogens that have evolved resistance will take longer to recover from infections, cause infections to intensify, require higher dosages of medications, and perhaps result in a higher death rate.
AMR is more frequently seen in and researched in fungus and bacteria. A small percentage of parasites have also grown resistant to available treatments. The phrase “antibacterial resistance (ABR)” refers to the development of bacterial resistance against “antibiotics.” A fungus is said to have developed “antifungal resistance (AFR)” if it becomes resistant to “antifungals.” In a similar vein, “antiviral resistance” and “anthelmintic resistance” refer to the evolution of resistance by helminths and viruses, respectively, to available therapeutics.
Definition of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
The term “antimicrobial resistance” (AMR) describes a larger phenomena in which microorganisms—such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—evolve defense mechanisms against the effects of drugs intended to kill them or halt their growth.
Scopes
- Bacteria: Resistance to antibiotics.
- Viruses: Resistance to antiviral medications.
- Fungi: Resistance to antifungal agents.
- Parasites: Resistance to antiparasitic drugs.
Significance
- Because AMR makes treating infectious diseases more challenging and increases the risk of longer illness, greater healthcare expenses, and higher death, it is a worldwide health concern.
- It includes a broad spectrum of pathogens that impact several aspects of veterinary medicine, agriculture, and healthcare.
Examples of AMR
- Resistant to methicillin The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an example of a resistant strain.
- HIV resistance to antiretroviral medication.
- Antimalarial medication resistance in Plasmodium species that cause malaria.
Definition of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
ABR is a subclass of AMR that relates only to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
A particular kind of AMR that solely pertains to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are drugs that either eradicate or inhibit the growth of germs.
Scopes
Bacteria: Only bacteria and their resistance mechanisms against antibiotics are included.
Significane
- Given that bacterial infections are a common source of illness in both people and animals, ABR is extremely important.
- One of the main causes of the emergence and spread of ABR is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in agriculture and medicine.
Examples of AMR
- Multiple antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli).
- Enterobacteriaceae resistant to carbapenems (CRE).
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis with multiple drug resistance (MDR-TB).
Key Differences between antimicrobial and antibacterial resistance
There are some key differences between antimicrobial and antibacterial resistance. Here is some of them.
Scopes of Microorganisms:
1. AMR includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
2. ABR focuses exclusively on bacteria.
Types of Drugs:
1. AMR includes antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics.
2. ABR specifically impacts bacterial infections.
Breadth of Impact:
1. AMR affects the treatment of a wider range of infectious diseases.
2. ABR specifically impacts bacterial infections.
Importance in Public Health
AMR
1. Calls for all-encompassing tactics to address resistance in a variety of disease types.
2. Involves concerted international efforts in several domains, such as research, stewardship, and surveillance.
ABR
1. Frequently draws attention to problems pertaining specifically to the abuse and overuse of antibiotics.
2. Needs focused measures to stop the spread of resistant bacterial strains in community behaviors, agriculture, and healthcare settings.
Frequently Asked Question(FAQ)
What is the difference between antimicrobial and antibacterial resistance?
Are antibiotic and antimicrobial resistances the same thing? Resistance to antibiotics is specifically referred to as antibiotic resistance. The ability to withstand bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites is known as antimicrobial resistance.
What are the four types of antimicrobial resistance?
Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms fall into four main categories: (1) limiting uptake of a drug; (2) modifying a drug target; (3) inactivating a drug; (4) active drug efflux.
What is the mechanism of AMR resistance?
The three fundamental mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance are (1) enzymatic degradation of antibacterial drugs, (2) alteration of bacterial proteins that are antimicrobial targets, and (3) changes in membrane permeability to antibiotics.
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