Antibiotic Resistance in humans due to Microbes

Background

Antibiotics are now facing a crisis of resistance. Overuse and misuse have led to bacteria developing resistance, making infections harder to treat. This is exacerbated by the availability of antibiotics without prescriptions and their presence in the environment. The spread of resistant bacteria poses a significant threat to global health, requiring urgent action. Governments and international organizations are working to combat this issue, but the problem persists. Addressing antibiotic resistance requires responsible use and the development of new antibiotics.

Objective

This study aimed to review antibiotic resistance in humans due to microbes.

Discussion

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural process where microorganisms stop responding to antibiotics, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of spreading serious diseases. The overuse of antibiotics accelerates this process, promoting AMR spread through distinct mechanisms like natural and acquired resistance. Genetic mechanisms involve inherent and acquired resistance in bacteria, impacting antibiotic effectiveness. Biological resistance mechanisms include enzymatic inhibition, reduced penetration, enhanced extrusion, and target changes. Strategies against antimicrobial agents involve restricting drug entry, modifying targets, rendering drugs inactive, and actively removing drugs from cells. Gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria exhibit variations in resistance mechanisms due to structural differences.

Conclusion

The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a multifaceted issue, involving both inherent and acquired mechanisms. Inherent resistance stems from genetic mutations that occur spontaneously within bacterial populations. On the other hand, acquired resistance can occur through the transfer of genetic material between bacteria, enabling the spread of resistance traits. It is imperative to grasp these genetic, biological, and strategic mechanisms to effectively tackle the escalating challenge of antibiotic resistance and devise successful strategies to mitigate its impact.