Antibiotic Resistance

Purpose

click to edit

The purpose of this review was to analyze what factors contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance

This review used primary, peer reviewed sources published in PUBMED

Key Contributing Factors

Conclusions/Prevention

History

Antibiotic Resistance is a growing concern in all nations

How this relates to the grant proposal

CSE Citation (Name, Year):


Chokshi A, Sifri Z, Cennimo D, Horng H. 2019. Global Contributors to Antibiotic Resistance. Journal of Global Infectious Diseases. 11(1):36–42. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/jgid.jgid_110_18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380099/.

In recent times, one of the leading causes of death is noncommunicable diseases

In the early 1900's, infectious disease was responsible for 1/3 of all deaths

This development is due to the discovery of antibiotics, namely, Penicillin.

While healthcare professionals seem to have a handle on communicable diseases, the rates are once again rising as a new concern, antibiotic resistance, becomes a bigger issue by the day.

What is antibiotic resistance?

MRSA is responsible for 50,000 deaths yearly in the US/Europe

Tuberculosis is a major concern

Certain infections are no longer treatable with antibiotics due to resistance

It is estimated that by the year 2050, 10 million people will have died as a result of antibiotic resistance and $100.2 trillion will be lost as a result

New mechanisms are always evolving

Measures need to be taken to prevent the spread

Antibiotic resistance is when microbes develop the ability to counteract and resist antibiotics (drugs) designed to inhibit or kill them

Ineffective quality control (major issue in developing countries)

Overuse and abuse of antibiotics (inappropriate prescriptions)

Deficient observation when resistance begins and advances (major issue in developing countries)

The prevalence of antibiotics given to cattle raised for consumption

Overall lack of research, knowledge, and understanding of the subject = lack of solutions

When substandard or expired products are distributed to sick populations, this can heavily increase the cases of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics are also not being stored properly, which leads to their disintegration and ineffectiveness

Unfortunately, there is a market for counterfeit/illegitimate drugs to combat bacterial infections which also promotes antibiotic resistance

Providers will often prescribe antibiotics as a first resort, despite the fact they may not be needed. This leads to overuse and promotes antibiotic resistance.

Testing for bacterial cultures is rarely done in developing countries

No regulations and antibiotics readily being available

Patient in developed countries report sharing their antibiotic prescriptions with other individuals to save money on an additional doctors appointment/prescription

Use to promote growth of animals and maximize profits

Humans ingest these antibiotics when consuming animal meat and byproducts, contributing to antibiotic resistance

Used to prevent disease in livestock

Soil and water are also impacted by antibiotics as traces are found in animal fecal matter. This soil and water are then use to grow crops which humans will also consume.

There are no incentives for researchers to discover new antibiotics or alternatives treatments to antibiotics, as the pharmaceutical industry would rather fund research on medications used for chronic diseases that will be prescribed long term (more profit) rather than antibiotics used to treat infections that will be prescribed short term (less profit)

More research needs to be done on antibiotic resistance and alternative treatment options for bacterial infections

The World Health Organization should establish clear principles and a standard protocol when it comes to antibiotic use and distribution

Fighting antibiotics resistance requires more intervention and regulations

Because all countries have differing healthcare systems, it it difficult to develop a universal protocol for handling antibiotics

The World Health Organization has established (GLASS) - Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System

I believe this is a very relevant topic and any research in this field could be a major benefit to mankind

I believe I could secure funding for an experiment studying the various mechanisms by which different species of bacteria develop resistance or perhaps study the use of expired antibiotic medications on different species of bacteria and record how many generations it takes to develop resistant mechanisms (or something along these lines)

I would like to conduct some type of experiment regarding the development of antibiotic resistance in certain microorganisms