Drug-resistant "superbugs" are now found virtually everywhere. As a result, most of the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. So, as researchers and scientists, what are the alternative ways that we can prevent this disaster? Is there any novelty?
Source: Review On Antimicrobial Resistance
I guess we are talking about
https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/160518_Final%20paper_with%20cover.pdf
It is worth to read as well : http://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/files/33145985/Lancet_Infectious_Diseases_comments_on_the_AMR_review_edit_LJVP_17.5_no_TC_or_comments.pdf
@Alex Ignatov
Thanks. The report offers recommendations, most are not new. Not sure researchgate will offer much of significance beyond those. steps.
We might discus the practicality of the recommendations. For one - success of the global public awareness sure seems like a pipe dream.
Phage therapy will be the only solution over all drug alternatives
Antibiotic resistance is a result of antibiotic abuse and overuse, which causes antibiotic efficacy to decline. Nowadays, antibiotic resistance is a public health concern worldwide. Antibiotic resistance is a quorum sensing-mediated phenotype. To address this, Quorum Quenching (QQ) is an effective strategy for finding alternatives to some conventional antibiotics, which are ineffective in the current situation. Quorum quenching disrupts the expression of the QS-mediated phenotypes without putting pressure on target bacteria. Hence, it could not lead to the development of resistance. In this sense, the search for quorum sensing inhibitors is imperative to help reduce the magnitude of antibiotic resistance, which is also known as the silent pandemic.
I think that the solution to the problem lies not so much in the novelty as it lies in preventing bad practices in order to reduce selective pressure on those microorganisms, because even with new solutions or medicines, they will find a way to resist... My sincere gratitude to all.
The review document presents logical strategies to reduce AMR, and as Dr Geis says, they are not new, but they do need to be said. I think denying the importance of AMR is a grave mistake, but it should be seen as a problem to be solved, not as an emotional or political issue (though politicians are going to be vital to any success).I think the issue of sanitation is important in low income countries where there is no access to clean water, but the gross over-use of abx in agriculture MUST be curtailed as this dwarfs the amounts overused in clinical practice. International collaboration in a non-heirarchical way must be seen as a political priority in the same way as Climate Damage. Also, any advances in drugs and practices MUST be made available to all, including low-income countries. Finally, one could say that the problem has arisen because of too many (or too much use of) abx and looking for more is missing the point- we should re-examine how we use those that we have, in ways that reduce risk of AMR. Lots more to be said, but that's enough for now....
Also, (and thank you Dr Kanaan) we might look back at Professor Paul Ehrlich's address in London in 1913, when decades before we had antibiotics he discussed the problem of resistance and told us how to avoid it. Everyone applauded and forgot about it, and he got the Nobel Prize (for something else). See Paul Ehrlich. Pathology in chemotherapeutics:
scientific principles, methods
and results. Lancet 1913:445–51. I no longer have the original paper
A solution to this problem would have been the development of new antimicrobials but perspectives for the development of new antibiotics for example are narrow. Thus while waiting for alternative therapies to handle super bugs, it is imperative to preserve the efficacy of existing drugs through measures that minimize the development and spread of resistance such as the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System of Emerging AMR Reporting (GLASS-EAR) approach involving the timely detection, reporting, risk assessment and monitoring of emerging antimicrobial resistance
One health approach with intersectional collaboration aimed at curtailing this menace is key in prevention and control of Superbugs.
Laws must be established to prevent hand out of antibiotics without prescription. Mandate about unnecessary use of antibiotics in the livestock industry and more vigorous infection control measures should be applicable in the hospitals. Public should be made aware of the dangers of antibiotic resistance and its ill-effects in human microbiota and chronic diseases.
The rise of drug-resistant "superbugs" and the potential for them to cause significant human mortality is a concerning global health challenge. While the scenario you mentioned is indeed alarming, it is important to note that predicting the future with certainty is complex, and the outcomes will depend on various factors, including actions taken to address the issue.
Finding solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a multifaceted approach involving different sectors and strategies. Here are some alternative approaches and ongoing research areas aimed at preventing the spread of drug-resistant bacteria and mitigating the impact of superbugs:
1. Development of new antibiotics: There is a need for the discovery and development of new classes of antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action to combat drug-resistant bacteria. This involves exploring untapped sources such as natural products, synthetic compounds, and innovative drug design approaches.
2. Combination therapies: Combining existing antibiotics with other drugs or compounds can enhance their effectiveness and reduce the development of resistance. Synergistic combinations, where two or more drugs work together to improve efficacy, are being explored as a strategy to combat resistance.
3. Antimicrobial stewardship: Implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs to promote appropriate and responsible use of antibiotics is crucial. This involves educating healthcare professionals, patients, and the public about the importance of proper antibiotic use, optimizing treatment regimens, and reducing unnecessary or inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions.
4. Alternative antimicrobial strategies: Researchers are investigating various alternative antimicrobial strategies, such as bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), antimicrobial peptides, antimicrobial metals, and other non-antibiotic approaches that target specific bacterial vulnerabilities.
5. Vaccines: Development and widespread use of effective vaccines against bacterial pathogens can prevent infections and reduce the need for antibiotics. Vaccination can help lower the incidence of antibiotic-resistant strains by reducing the overall burden of infections.
6. Rapid diagnostics: Improved diagnostic techniques that enable rapid and accurate identification of bacterial infections, along with their antibiotic susceptibility profiles, can facilitate targeted and appropriate antibiotic treatment, minimizing unnecessary antibiotic use.
7. Environmental interventions: Addressing the environmental factors contributing to the spread of drug-resistant bacteria, such as improved sanitation, wastewater management, and infection control measures, can help reduce the transmission and prevalence of resistant strains.
8. Global collaboration and policies: International cooperation among governments, healthcare systems, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies is crucial to developing a coordinated global response to AMR. This includes fostering research collaborations, sharing data and surveillance information, and implementing policies that promote responsible antibiotic use and research incentives.
It is important to emphasize that tackling antimicrobial resistance requires a long-term commitment and a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. It will require the combined efforts of healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, industries, and the general public to address this global health crisis effectively.
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