Facing the Silent Threat : How AMR Imperils Our Future
Antimicrobial resistance poses a silent yet formidable threat to global health , economic stability , and societal well-being , writes Dr Prabhu Vinayagam
In the realm of modern medicine , where we ' ve achieved extraordinary victories against infections and diseases , a formidable and silent adversary threatens to undo much of our progress : antimicrobial resistance ( AMR ). This escalating crisis endangers not just our health but also our economic and societal stability , marking a critical juncture in our battle against bacterial pathogens .
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms — bacteria , viruses , fungi , and parasites — evolve to resist the drugs designed to eliminate them . While the phenomenon of resistance is not new , its acceleration is alarming . Antibiotics , antivirals , antifungals , and antiparasitic , once potent tools for curing infections , are increasingly ineffective . Several factors contribute to this crisis : the overuse and misuse of these medications in humans and animals , inadequate infection control practices , and the natural evolutionary capabilities of microorganisms .
Historical Context and Current Trends
The discovery of antibiotics in the early 20th century , beginning with Alexander Fleming ' s penicillin , revolutionized medicine . These drugs transformed the treatment landscape , making previously deadly infections manageable . However , as antibiotics became widespread , so did resistance . The emergence of penicillin-resistant strains like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA ) highlighted the growing problem .
In recent years , the rise of multidrugresistant organisms — bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotic classes — has become a significant concern . The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has identified " priority pathogens ," such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae ( CRE ) and
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