Based On What You Learned From The Videos And Your Knowledge

Based on what you learned from the Videos and what you have learned about antimicrobial resistance from your textbook, discuss the following in two paragraphs (a paragraph should be a minimum of 150 words). How do bacteria develop resistance (first paragraph) What can be done to reduce antimicrobial resistance? (2nd paragraph)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) develops through various mechanisms in bacteria that enable them to survive in the presence of antibiotics. Bacteria can acquire resistance either through spontaneous mutations in their genetic material or by obtaining resistance genes from other bacteria via horizontal gene transfer processes such as conjugation, transformation, or transduction. Mutations may alter the target sites of antibiotics, diminish drug uptake, or increase drug efflux, rendering the medication ineffective. Horizontal gene transfer facilitates the rapid spread of resistance genes across different bacterial populations, often carried on plasmids, transposons, or integrons. These genetic changes are selected for when antibiotics are used extensively, providing resistant bacteria a survival advantage and allowing their proliferation. Over time, these resistant strains become dominant in various environments, including hospitals, communities, and agricultural settings, complicating treatment protocols. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture accelerate this process by applying selective pressure that favors resistant bacteria.

To combat and reduce antimicrobial resistance effectively, multifaceted strategies are necessary at multiple levels. Firstly, prudent use of antibiotics is critical—prescribing guidelines should be strictly followed, avoiding unnecessary prescriptions and ensuring complete courses of treatment. Public health campaigns can educate communities about the dangers of misuse and overuse of antibiotics, emphasizing that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. In healthcare settings, infection prevention and control practices, such as proper hand hygiene, sterilization, and isolating infected patients, help limit the spread of resistant bacteria. Additionally, increasing investment in research and development of new antibiotics, alternative therapies such as phage therapy, and rapid diagnostic tools can help tailor effective treatments and reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure. Regulatory measures should be implemented globally to oversee antibiotic use in agriculture and livestock, where antibiotics are often used prophylactically or growth-promoting, further fueling resistance. Overall, a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health strategies is essential to curbing the spread of antimicrobial resistance effectively.

References

  • World Health Organization. (2021). Antimicrobial resistance. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance
  • Levy, S. B., & Marshall, B. (2004). Antibacterial resistance worldwide: causes, challenges and responses. Nature Medicine, 10(12), S122–S129.
  • Laxminarayan, R., et al. (2013). Antibiotic resistance—the need for global solutions. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 13(12), 1057–1098.
  • Ventola, C. L. (2015). The antibiotic resistance crisis: part 1: causes and threats. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 40(4), 277–283.
  • World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). (2016). OIE strategy on antimicrobial resistance and the prudent use of antimicrobials. https://www.oie.int/en/what-we-offer/specialists-who-are-experts/ antimicrobial-resistance/
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Antibiotic prescribing and resistance: a call to action. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/index.html
  • Carlet, J., et al. (2011). The tailor-made approach for antimicrobial resistance: a WHO global strategy. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 17(2), 211–212.
  • World Health Organization. (2015). Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241509763
  • Davies, J., & Davies, D. (2010). Origins and evolution of antibiotic resistance. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 74(3), 417–433.
  • Barber, A. E., et al. (2019). The role of the microbiome in antimicrobial resistance. Trends in Microbiology, 27(3), 151–165.

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