Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of microorganisms, such as bacteria, to withstand the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive. This phenomenon is a significant concern in the field of medicine due to its potential to limit the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Overview

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of these medicines. Bacteria, not humans or animals, become antibiotic-resistant. These bacteria may infect humans and animals, and the infections they cause are harder to treat than those caused by non-resistant bacteria.

Mechanisms of Resistance

There are several ways that bacteria can acquire resistance to antibiotics. These include mutations in their own genetic material, or the acquisition of resistance genes from other bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. The latter can occur via plasmids, small pieces of DNA that can be transferred between bacteria.

Impact on Public Health

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to public health. It can lead to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today.

Prevention and Control

Preventing and controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance requires a coordinated effort. This includes appropriate use of antibiotics in both humans and animals, improved infection prevention and control in healthcare settings, and investment in research and development of new antibiotics, vaccines, and diagnostic tools.

See Also

• Superbug
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Drug resistance

Antibiotic resistance Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia

This public health related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.