Antimicrobial Resistance: Introduction and Challenges

Abstract

The infection-causing microorganisms are a severe issue for the health of humans, plants, and animals. To overcome this issue, various drugs, such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic, are used to inhibit or kill these infection-causing microorganisms. These pharmaceuticals are collectively called “antimicrobials.” But when microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites evolve over some time and become capable of flourishing even in the presence of medication which was once used to inhibit them, the phenomenon is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). And it occurs because an organism develops resistance to that medication, such as drugs, and it no longer affects it. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are significant contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. AMR in human pathogens has emerged as the greatest threat to public health in developing countries and worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated AMR as one of the top ten worldwide public health hazards to humanity. Also, it is one of the hurdles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Lack of clean water, poor sanitation, and inadequate infection prevention and control measures encourage AMR pathogens’ proliferation. The prolonged illness causes more frequent hospital visits, sometimes more expensive medications, and ultimately financial stress for individuals affected, in addition to mortality and disability. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.