Antibiotics have changed the course of human life, turning deadly diseases into treatable conditions, facilitating complex surgeries, treating cancer, and increasing the chances of survival for premature babies. But at the moment, bacteria and fungi are evolving faster than drugs, making it difficult to treat some infections, and sometimes “last resort drugs” fail.
Drug resistance:
A recent global report by the Universities of Jilin and Peking indicates that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is not just a potential future risk, but a growing reality that varies from country to country and from healthcare system to healthcare system. In some areas of Asia, bacteria that produce enzymes capable of breaking down antibiotics have spread, while Northern European countries maintain low rates of resistance thanks to strict prescription laws, careful monitoring of infections, and a strong regulatory system.
Fungi are also involved in this crisis, such as Candida auris, which develops multiple resistance to antifungal drugs, and Aspergillus fumigatus, which acquires resistance due to the use of fungicides in agriculture, which shows that this problem is related to humans, animals and the environment alike.
The solution lies in following a precise therapeutic approach: through the use of rapid diagnostics and genetic tests to identify germs and resistance genes, and matching the drug, dose and duration with the specific type of infection. The solution also includes developing new drugs, improving hygiene standards and agricultural practices, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, and educating the public on how to handle medications properly.
Antibiotic resistance represents a “slow-moving pandemic” and can be addressed through comprehensive coordination between the medical, agricultural and environmental sectors, monitoring drug use, and promoting innovation to ensure that simple infections do not become fatal again.
