NEEDED - Word Related Documents




#
Rank
Similarity
Title + Abs.
Year
PMID
012345
665000.9984 Antibiotic resistance is never going to go away. No matter how many drugs we throw at it, no matter how much money and resources are sacrificed to wage a war on resistance, it will always prevail. Humans are forced to coexist with the fact of antibiotic resistance. Public health officials, clinicians, and scientists must find effective ways to cope with antibiotic resistant bacteria harmful to humans and animals and to control the development of new types of resistance. The American Academy of Microbiology convened a colloquium October 12–14, 2008, to discuss antibiotic resistance and the factors that influence the development and spread of resistance. Participants, whose areas of expertise included medicine, microbiology, and public health, made specific recommendations for needed research, policy development, a surveillance network, and treatment guidelines. Antibiotic resistance issues specific to the developing world were discussed and recommendations for improvements were made. Each antibiotic is injurious only to a certain segment of the microbial world, so for a given antibacterial there are some species of bacteria that are susceptible and others not. Bacterial species insusceptible to a particular drug are “naturally resistant.” Species that were once sensitive but eventually became resistant to it are said to have “acquired resistance.” It is important to note that “acquired resistance” affects a subset of strains in the entire species; that is why the prevalence of “acquired resistance” in a species is different according to location. Antibiotic resistance, the acquired ability of a pathogen to withstand an antibiotic that kills off its sensitive counterparts, originally arises from random mutations in existing genes or from intact genes that already serve a similar purpose. Exposure to antibiotics and other antimicrobial products, whether in the human body, in animals, or the environment, applies selective pressure that encourages resistance to emerge favoring both “naturally resistant” strains and strains which have “acquired resistance.” Horizontal gene transfer, in which genetic information is passed between microbes, allows resistance determinants to spread within harmless environmental or commensal microorganisms and pathogens, thus creating a reservoir of resistance. Resistance is also spread by the replication of microbes that carry resistance genes, a process that produces genetically identical (or clonal) progeny. Rapid diagnostic methods and surveillance are some of the most valuable tools in preventing the spread of resistance. Access to more rapid diagnostic tests that could determine the causative agent and antibiotic susceptibility of infections would inform better decision making with respect to antibiotic use, help slow the selection of resistant strains in clinical settings, and enable better disease surveillance. A rigorous surveillance network to track the evolution and spread of resistance is also needed and would probably result in significant savings in healthcare. Developing countries face unique challenges when it comes to antibiotic resistance; chief among them may be the wide availability of antibiotics without a prescription and also counterfeit products of dubious quality. Lack of adequate hygiene, poor water quality, and failure to manage human waste also top the list. Recommendations for addressing the problems of widespread resistance in the developing world include: proposals for training and infrastructure capacity building; surveillance programs; greater access to susceptibility testing; government controls on import, manufacture and use; development and use of vaccines; and incentives for pharmaceutical companies to supply drugs to these countries. Controlling antibiotic resistant bacteria and subsequent infections more efficiently necessitates the prudent and responsible use of antibiotics. It is mandatory to prevent the needless use of antibiotics (e.g., viral infections; unnecessary prolonged treatment) and to improve the rapid prescription of appropriate antibiotics to a patient. Delayed or inadequate prescriptions reduce the efficacy of treatment and favor the spread of the infection. Prudent use also applies to veterinary medicine. For example, antibiotics used as “growth promoters” have been banned in Europe and are subject to review in some other countries. There are proven techniques for limiting the spread of resistance, including hand hygiene, but more rapid screening techniques are needed in order to effectively track and prevent spread in clinical settings. The spread of antibiotic resistance on farms and in veterinary hospitals may also be significant and should not be neglected. Research is needed to pursue alternative approaches, including vaccines, antisense therapy, public health initiatives, and others. The important messages about antibiotic resistance are not getting across from scientists and infectious diseases specialists to prescribers, stakeholders, including the public, healthcare providers, and public officials. Innovative and effective communication initiatives are needed, as are carefully tailored messages for each of the stakeholder groups.200932644325
980810.9984Understanding Recent Developments in Colistin Resistance: Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Future Perspectives. Colistin resistance, driven by chromosomal mutations and the spread of plasmid-mediated MCR genes, has emerged as a critical challenge in combating multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. This resistance compromises the efficacy of colistin, leading to higher treatment failure rates, prolonged hospitalizations, and increased mortality. Recent studies have highlighted key mechanisms, including lipid A modifications, that enable bacteria to evade colistin's effects. The global spread of MCR genes exacerbates the issue, underlining the need for improved diagnostics and rapid detection of resistant strains to prevent adverse patient outcomes. To combat this growing threat, a multifaceted approach is essential, involving enhanced antimicrobial stewardship, stricter infection control measures, and continued research into alternative therapies and diagnostic methods. Collaborative efforts from researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the pharmaceutical industry are crucial to preserving colistin's effectiveness and mitigating the broader impact on public health.202541148650
664920.9983 The development of antibiotics has provided much success against infectious diseases in animals and humans. But the intensive and extensive use of antibiotics over the years has resulted in the emergence of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. The existence of a reservoir(s) of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in an interactive environment of animals, plants, and humans provides the opportunity for further transfer and dissemination of antibiotic resistance. The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria has created growing concern about its impact on animal and human health. To specifically address the impact of antibiotic resistance resulting from the use of antibiotics in agriculture, the American Academy of Microbiology convened a colloquium, “Antibiotic Resistance and the Role of Antimicrobials in Agriculture: A Critical Scientific Assessment,” in Santa Fe, New Mexico, November 2–4, 2001. Colloquium participants included academic, industrial, and government researchers with a wide range of expertise, including veterinary medicine, microbiology, food science, pharmacology, and ecology. These scientists were asked to provide their expert opinions on the current status of antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance, current research information, and provide recommendations for future research needs. The research areas to be addressed were roughly categorized under the following areas: ▪ Origins and reservoirs of resistance; ▪ Transfer of resistance; ▪ Overcoming/modulating resistance by altering usage; and ▪ Interrupting transfer of resistance. The consensus of colloquium participants was that the evaluation of antibiotic usage and its impact were complex and subject to much speculation and polarization. Part of the complexity stems from the diverse array of animals and production practices for food animal production. The overwhelming consensus was that any use of antibiotics creates the possibility for the development of antibiotic resistance, and that there already exist pools of antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic resistant bacteria. Much discussion revolved around the measurement of antibiotic usage, the measurement of antibiotic resistance, and the ability to evaluate the impact of various types of usage (animal, human) on overall antibiotic resistance. Additionally, many participants identified commensal bacteria as having a possible role in the continuance of antibiotic resistance as reservoirs. Participants agreed that many of the research questions could not be answered completely because of their complexity and the need for better technologies. The concept of the “smoking gun” to indicate that a specific animal source was important in the emergence of certain antibiotic resistant pathogens was discussed, and it was agreed that ascribing ultimate responsibility is likely to be impossible. There was agreement that expanded and more improved surveillance would add to current knowledge. Science-based risk assessments would provide better direction in the future. As far as preventive or intervention activities, colloquium participants reiterated the need for judicious/prudent use guidelines. Yet they also emphasized the need for better dissemination and incorporation by end-users. It is essential that there are studies to measure the impact of educational efforts on antibiotic usage. Other recommendations included alternatives to antibiotics, such as commonly mentioned vaccines and probiotics. There also was an emphasis on management or production practices that might decrease the need for antibiotics. Participants also stressed the need to train new researchers and to interest students in postdoctoral work, through training grants, periodic workshops, and comprehensive conferences. This would provide the expertise needed to address these difficult issues in the future. Finally, the participants noted that scientific societies and professional organizations should play a pivotal role in providing technical advice, distilling and disseminating information to scientists, media, and consumers, and in increasing the visibility and funding for these important issues. The overall conclusion is that antibiotic resistance remains a complex issue with no simple answers. This reinforces the messages from other meetings. The recommendations from this colloquium provide some insightful directions for future research and action.200232687288
488830.9983A Review of Carbapenem Resistance in Enterobacterales and Its Detection Techniques. Infectious disease outbreaks have caused thousands of deaths and hospitalizations, along with severe negative global economic impacts. Among these, infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms are a major growing concern. The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials have resulted in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are among the bacteria that need urgent attention globally. The emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant bacteria are mainly due to the rapid dissemination of genes that encode carbapenemases through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). The rapid dissemination enables the development of host colonization and infection cases in humans who do not use the antibiotic (carbapenem) or those who are hospitalized but interacting with environments and hosts colonized with carbapenemase-producing (CP) bacteria. There are continuing efforts to characterize and differentiate carbapenem-resistant bacteria from susceptible bacteria to allow for the appropriate diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of infections. This review presents an overview of the factors that cause the emergence of AMR, particularly CRE, where they have been reported, and then, it outlines carbapenemases and how they are disseminated through humans, the environment, and food systems. Then, current and emerging techniques for the detection and surveillance of AMR, primarily CRE, and gaps in detection technologies are presented. This review can assist in developing prevention and control measures to minimize the spread of carbapenem resistance in the human ecosystem, including hospitals, food supply chains, and water treatment facilities. Furthermore, the development of rapid and affordable detection techniques is helpful in controlling the negative impact of infections caused by AMR/CRE. Since delays in diagnostics and appropriate antibiotic treatment for such infections lead to increased mortality rates and hospital costs, it is, therefore, imperative that rapid tests be a priority.202337374993
665740.9983From Cure to Crisis: Understanding the Evolution of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Human Microbiota. The growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria within the human microbiome has become a pressing global health crisis. While antibiotics have revolutionized medicine by significantly reducing mortality and enabling advanced medical interventions, their misuse and overuse have led to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. Key resistance mechanisms include genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and biofilm formation, with the human microbiota acting as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Industrialization and environmental factors have exacerbated this issue, contributing to a rise in infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. These resistant pathogens compromise the effectiveness of essential treatments like surgical prophylaxis and chemotherapy, increase healthcare costs, and prolong hospital stays. This crisis highlights the need for a global One-Health approach, particularly in regions with weak regulatory frameworks. Innovative strategies, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, offer promising avenues for mitigating resistance. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated efforts, encompassing research, policymaking, public education, and antibiotic stewardship, to safeguard current antibiotics and foster the development of new therapeutic solutions. An integrated, multidimensional strategy is essential to tackle this escalating problem and ensure the sustainability of effective antimicrobial treatments.202539858487
661650.9982The menace of colistin resistance across globe: Obstacles and opportunities in curbing its spread. Colistin-resistance in bacteria is a big concern for public health, since it is a last resort antibiotic to treat infectious diseases of multidrug resistant and carbapenem resistant Gram-negative pathogens in clinical settings. The emergence of colistin resistance in aquaculture and poultry settings has escalated the risks associated with colistin resistance in environment as well. The staggering number of reports pertaining to the rise of colistin resistance in bacteria from clinical and non-clinical settings is disconcerting. The co-existence of colistin resistant genes with other antibiotic resistant genes introduces new challenges in combatting antimicrobial resistance. Some countries have banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin and its formulations for food producing animals. However, to tackle the issue of antimicrobial resistance, a one health approach initiative, inclusive of human, animal, and environmental health needs to be developed. Herein, we review the recent reports in colistin resistance in bacteria of clinical and non-clinical settings, deliberating on the new findings obtained regarding the development of colistin resistance. This review also discusses the initiatives implemented globally in mitigating colistin resistance, their strength and weakness.202336812837
488760.9982Mechanisms of Bacterial Drug Resistance with Special Emphasis on Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase. Antibiotics are designed to effectively treat bacterial infections while minimizing harm to the human body. They work by targeting specific components of bacteria or by disrupting essential processes such as cell wall synthesis, membrane function, protein production, and metabolic pathways. However, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of drug resistance in humans, animals, and agriculture, contributing to the global spread of this problem. Drug resistance can be either innate or acquired, with acquired resistance involving changes in the bacterial chromosomes or transferable elements. Bacterial species employ various mechanisms of drug resistance, including modifying the antibiotic targets, inactivating the drug, reducing uptake or increasing efflux, overexpressing the target, utilizing alternative pathways, and forming biofilms. One significant concern in the realm of drug resistance revolves around the emergence and proliferation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), a gene that is found in most gram-negative bacteria, primarily carried by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in healthcare settings. ESBL-mediated resistance poses challenges for diagnosis, treatment, infection control, and antibiotic stewardship. Accurate detection of ESBL genes is crucial, and phenotypic methods are commonly used for initial screening. However, these methods have limitations, and confirmatory molecular techniques such as PCR and DNA sequencing are employed to accurately identify ESBL genes. Despite the significant global concerns surrounding ESBLs, they have spread worldwide, mainly facilitated by healthcare settings, inappropriate antimicrobial use, and host susceptibility. Addressing this issue requires implementing comprehensive measures, including enhanced surveillance, strict infection control practices, antibiotic stewardship programs, rapid diagnostic methods, alternative therapies, public education initiatives, and research focused on developing new drugs. Furthermore, collaboration among the healthcare, public health, and research sectors is pivotal in effectively combating the escalating threat posed by ESBL-mediated resistance. Antibiotics have revolutionized medical care by effectively treating bacterial infections. However, the emergence of ESBL gene resistance poses a global challenge that requires an integrated approach to prevent a threatening future.202438700878
981070.9982Drug-resistant bacteria in the critically ill: patterns and mechanisms of resistance and potential remedies. Antimicrobial resistance in the intensive care unit is an ongoing global healthcare concern associated with high mortality and morbidity rates and high healthcare costs. Select groups of bacterial pathogens express different mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. Clinicians face challenges in managing patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria in the form of a limited pool of available antibiotics, slow and potentially inaccurate conventional diagnostic microbial modalities, mimicry of non-infective conditions with infective syndromes, and the confounding of the clinical picture of organ dysfunction associated with sepsis with postoperative surgical complications such as hemorrhage and fluid shifts. Potential remedies for antimicrobial resistance include specific surveillance, adequate and systematic antibiotic stewardship, use of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic techniques of therapy, and antimicrobial monitoring and adequate employment of infection control policies. Novel techniques of combating antimicrobial resistance include the use of aerosolized antibiotics for lung infections, the restoration of gut microflora using fecal transplantation, and orally administered probiotics. Newer antibiotics are urgently needed as part of the armamentarium against multidrug-resistant bacteria. In this review we discuss mechanisms and patterns of microbial resistance in a select group of drug-resistant bacteria, and preventive and remedial measures for combating antibiotic resistance in the critically ill.202339816646
423280.9981Alternatives to antibiotics for treatment of mastitis in dairy cows. Mastitis is considered the costliest disease on dairy farms and also adversely affects animal welfare. As treatment (and to a lesser extent prevention) of mastitis rely heavily on antibiotics, there are increasing concerns in veterinary and human medicine regarding development of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, with genes conferring resistance being capable of transfer to heterologous strains, reducing resistance in strains of animal origin should have positive impacts on humans. This article briefly reviews potential roles of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), herbal medicines, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), bacteriophages and their lytic enzymes, vaccination and other emerging therapies for prevention and treatment of mastitis in dairy cows. Although many of these approaches currently lack proven therapeutic efficacy, at least some may gradually replace antibiotics, especially as drug-resistant bacteria are proliferating globally.202337404775
979090.9981Emerging antibiotic resistance: carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria. Bad new bugs, still no new drugs. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health security threat requiring actions across government sectors and society. Many factors are involved in this phenomenon, being overuse of antibiotics, incorrect antibiotic prophylaxis, and use of antibiotics for zootechnic reasons the main causes of the increasing rate of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The impact of resistance to antimicrobials is an important threat due also to the emergence of MDR Gram-negative bacteria resistant to carbapenems, and the lack of the research for new active molecules. The production of extended spectrum beta-lactamase enzymes has been the first threatening mechanism for Gram-negative resistance to antibiotics, which prompted the development of new classes of antibiotics such as carbapenems. Unfortunately, resistance to carbapenems developed because of multiple mechanisms including efflux pumps, porin mutations and enzyme production, being the latter particularly relevant in terms of diffusion due to the genes located within plasmids that drive their horizontal diffusion. In this scenario, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) are a mandatory resource in fighting the resistance spread. The reduction of total amount of antibiotics administration in the hospital setting and guiding prescribers in the correct administration of antibiotics for the smallest period possible, at the correct dosage, can be defined as the first goals of an ASP. Anyway, in an efficacious ASP, apart from antibiotic administration, efforts must been made in ensuring the lowest probability of spreading of MDR by efficacious measures of isolation of carriers, and by offering tools for a rapid diagnosis of viral infections avoiding the administration of unnecessary antibiotics. A continuous audit of the ASP programs and a correct assessment of the allergy to drugs such as penicillin have to complete the program. Currently, only a few options are available for patients with an infection sustained by Gram-negative MDR bacteria. All the options actually available are based on the administration of colystin, an old drug whose real efficacy is reduced due to its relevant toxicity, or on the administration of recently proposed drugs such as ceftolozane-tazobactam, ceftazidime-avibactam and meropenem-vaborbactam. All these new drugs do not have a novel mechanism of action and have limited spectrum in term of activity against MDR bacteria. In conclusion, antimicrobial resistance is a global emergence and AMP is the most powerful tool actually available. Few limited options are available to treat infections due to Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteria. Antimicrobial molecules with true novel mechanism of action are needed to win the fight against antimicrobial resistance.201931846984
4889100.9981The Challenge of Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance in Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria: "Attack on Titan". The global burden of bacterial resistance remains one of the most serious public health concerns. Infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in critically ill patients require immediate empirical treatment, which may not only be ineffective due to the resistance of MDR bacteria to multiple classes of antibiotics, but may also contribute to the selection and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Both the WHO and the ECDC consider carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) to be the highest priority. The ability to form biofilm and the acquisition of multiple drug resistance genes, in particular to carbapenems, have made these pathogens particularly difficult to treat. They are a growing cause of healthcare-associated infections and a significant threat to public health, associated with a high mortality rate. Moreover, co-colonization with these pathogens in critically ill patients was found to be a significant predictor for in-hospital mortality. Importantly, they have the potential to spread resistance using mobile genetic elements. Given the current situation, it is clear that finding new ways to combat antimicrobial resistance can no longer be delayed. The aim of this review was to evaluate the literature on how these pathogens contribute to the global burden of AMR. The review also highlights the importance of the rational use of antibiotics and the need to implement antimicrobial stewardship principles to prevent the transmission of drug-resistant organisms in healthcare settings. Finally, the review discusses the advantages and limitations of alternative therapies for the treatment of infections caused by these "titans" of antibiotic resistance.202337630472
6691110.9981The antimicrobial resistance monitoring and research (ARMoR) program: the US Department of Defense response to escalating antimicrobial resistance. Responding to escalating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the US Department of Defense implemented an enterprise-wide collaboration, the Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring and Research Program, to aid in infection prevention and control. It consists of a network of epidemiologists, bioinformaticists, microbiology researchers, policy makers, hospital-based infection preventionists, and healthcare providers who collaborate to collect relevant AMR data, conduct centralized molecular characterization, and use AMR characterization feedback to implement appropriate infection prevention and control measures and influence policy. A particularly concerning type of AMR, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, significantly declined after the program was launched. Similarly, there have been no further reports or outbreaks of another concerning type of AMR, colistin resistance in Acinetobacter, in the Department of Defense since the program was initiated. However, bacteria containing AMR-encoding genes are increasing. To update program stakeholders and other healthcare systems facing such challenges, we describe the processes and impact of the program.201424795331
6652120.9981Strategic measures for the control of surging antimicrobial resistance in Hong Kong and mainland of China. Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are either highly prevalent or increasing rapidly in Hong Kong and China. Treatment options for these bacteria are generally limited, less effective and more expensive. The emergence and dynamics of antimicrobial resistance genes in bacteria circulating between animals, the environment and humans are not entirely known. Nonetheless, selective pressure by antibiotics on the microbiomes of animal and human, and their associated environments (especially farms and healthcare institutions), sewage systems and soil are likely to confer survival advantages upon bacteria with antimicrobial-resistance genes, which may be further disseminated through plasmids or transposons with integrons. Therefore, antibiotic use must be tightly regulated to eliminate such selective pressure, including the illegalization of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed and regulation of antibiotic use in veterinary practice and human medicine. Heightened awareness of infection control measures to reduce the risk of acquiring resistant bacteria is essential, especially during antimicrobial use or institutionalization in healthcare facilities. The transmission cycle must be interrupted by proper hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, avoidance of undercooked or raw food and compliance with infection control measures by healthcare workers, visitors and patients, especially during treatment with antibiotics. In addition to these routine measures, proactive microbiological screening of hospitalized patients with risk factors for carrying resistant bacteria, including history of travel to endemic countries, transfer from other hospitals, and prolonged hospitalization; directly observed hand hygiene before oral intake of drugs, food and drinks; and targeted disinfection of high-touch or mutual-touch items, such as bed rails and bed curtains, are important. Transparency of surveillance data from each institute for public scrutiny provides an incentive for controlling antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings at an administrative level.201526038766
6665130.9981A One-Health Perspective of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Human, Animals and Environmental Health. Antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial and fungal infections in plants, animals, and humans. Their widespread use in agriculture and the food industry has significantly enhanced animal health and productivity. However, extensive and often inappropriate antibiotic use has driven the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health crisis marked by the reduced efficacy of antimicrobial treatments. Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten global public health threats, AMR arises when certain bacteria harbor antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) that confer resistance that can be horizontally transferred to other bacteria, accelerating resistance spread in the environment. AMR poses a significant global health challenge, affecting humans, animals, and the environment alike. A One-Health perspective highlights the interconnected nature of these domains, emphasizing that resistant microorganisms spread across healthcare, agriculture, and the environment. Recent scientific advances such as metagenomic sequencing for resistance surveillance, innovative wastewater treatment technologies (e.g., ozonation, UV, membrane filtration), and the development of vaccines and probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in livestock are helping to mitigate resistance. At the policy level, global initiatives including the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR, coordinated efforts by (Food and Agriculture Organization) FAO and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and recommendations from the O'Neill Report underscore the urgent need for international collaboration and sustainable interventions. By integrating these scientific and policy responses within the One-Health framework, stakeholders can improve antibiotic stewardship, reduce environmental contamination, and safeguard effective treatments for the future.202541157271
6673140.9981A brief multi-disciplinary review on antimicrobial resistance in medicine and its linkage to the global environmental microbiota. The discovery and introduction of antimicrobial agents to clinical medicine was one of the greatest medical triumphs of the 20th century that revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the gradual emergence of populations of antimicrobial-resistant pathogenic bacteria resulting from use, misuse, and abuse of antimicrobials has today become a major global health concern. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes have been suggested to originate from environmental bacteria, as clinically relevant resistance genes have been detected on the chromosome of environmental bacteria. As only a few new antimicrobials have been developed in the last decade, the further evolution of resistance poses a serious threat to public health. Urgent measures are required not only to minimize the use of antimicrobials for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes but also to look for alternative strategies for the control of bacterial infections. This review examines the global picture of antimicrobial resistance, factors that favor its spread, strategies, and limitations for its control and the need for continuous training of all stake-holders i.e., medical, veterinary, public health, and other relevant professionals as well as human consumers, in the appropriate use of antimicrobial drugs.201323675371
6664150.9981Addressing the global challenge of bacterial drug resistance: insights, strategies, and future directions. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored bacterial resistance as a critical global health issue, exacerbated by the increased use of antibiotics during the crisis. Notwithstanding the pandemic's prevalence, initiatives to address bacterial medication resistance have been inadequate. Although an overall drop in worldwide antibiotic consumption, total usage remains substantial, requiring rigorous regulatory measures and preventive activities to mitigate the emergence of resistance. Although National Action Plans (NAPs) have been implemented worldwide, significant disparities persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Settings such as farms, hospitals, wastewater treatment facilities, and agricultural environments include a significant presence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARG), promoting the propagation of resistance. Dietary modifications and probiotic supplementation have shown potential in reshaping gut microbiota and reducing antibiotic resistance gene prevalence. Combining antibiotics with adjuvants or bacteriophages may enhance treatment efficacy and mitigate resistance development. Novel therapeutic approaches, such as tailored antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and nanoparticles, offer alternate ways of addressing resistance. In spite of advancements in next-generation sequencing and analytics, gaps persist in comprehending the role of gut microbiota in regulating antibiotic resistance. Effectively tackling antibiotic resistance requires robust policy interventions and regulatory measures targeting root causes while minimizing public health risks. This review provides information for developing strategies and protocols to prevent bacterial colonization, enhance gut microbiome resilience, and mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance.202540066274
4886160.9981Molecular diagnostics for genotypic detection of antibiotic resistance: current landscape and future directions. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacteria is an escalating public health emergency that has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. When making antibiotic treatment decisions, clinicians rely heavily on determination of antibiotic susceptibility or resistance by the microbiology laboratory, but conventional methods often take several days to identify AMR. There are now several commercially available molecular methods that detect antibiotic resistance genes within hours rather than days. While these methods have limitations, they offer promise for optimizing treatment and patient outcomes, and reducing further emergence of AMR. This review provides an overview of commercially available genotypic assays that detect individual resistance genes and/or resistance-associated mutations in a variety of specimen types and discusses how clinical outcomes studies may be used to demonstrate clinical utility of such diagnostics.202336816746
9796170.9981Bacteriophage therapy to combat MDR non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria causing nosocomial infections: recent progress and challenges. Clinicians face significant challenges in managing nosocomial infections, primarily due to antimicrobial resistance in multidrug-resistant bacteria. Regardless of the availability of a wide range of antimicrobials in the market, resistance is escalating rampantly with every passing day, which has become a global concern. Hence, it is essential to discover new and more efficient techniques to eliminate pathogens from healthcare settings. Along with eliminating pathogenic bacteria, mitigating their antimicrobial resistance with novel methods is very essential. Recently, bacteriophages have re-emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative to treat serious infections caused by bacterial pathogens. Bacteriophages were discovered for the first time a century ago, but their usage has recently regained more attention in treating bacterial pathogens. Bacteriophages also help in mitigating the worldwide problem of antibiotic resistance, particularly augmented by Gram-negative bacteria. This review discussed the advancements in the usage of bacteriophages in combating the antimicrobial resistance of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, with a prime focus on Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), which are renowned non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB) pathogens. Additionally, the effects of single phage, phage cocktails, and combination therapy with antibiotics on bacterial biofilms and polymicrobial biofilms are also discussed.202540478338
6658180.9980Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs: Assessment of the Interrelationship of Occurrence in Clinical Settings and Environmental Niches. The increasing threat to global health posed by antibiotic resistance remains of serious concern. Human health remains at higher risk due to several reported therapeutic failures to many life threatening drug resistant microbial infections. The resultant effects have been prolonged hospital stay, higher cost of alternative therapy, increased mortality, etc. This opinionated review considers the two main concerns in integrated human health risk assessment (i.e., residual antibiotics and antibiotic resistant genes) in various compartments of human environment, as well as clinical dynamics associated with the development and transfer of antibiotic resistance (AR). Contributions of quorum sensing, biofilms, enzyme production, and small colony variants in bacteria, among other factors in soil, water, animal farm and clinical settings were also considered. Every potential factor in environmental and clinical settings that brings about AR needs to be identified for the summative effects in overall resistance. There is a need to embrace coordinated multi-locational approaches and interrelationships to track the emergence of resistance in different niches in soil and water versus the hospital environment. The further integration with advocacy, legislation, enforcement, technological innovations and further research input and recourse to WHO guidelines on antibiotic policy would be advantageous towards addressing the emergence of antibiotic resistant superbugs.201628035988
6617190.9980Mechanisms in colistin-resistant superbugs transmissible from veterinary, livestock and animal food products to humans. In the era of antibiotic resistance, where multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug resistant (XDR), and pan-drug resistant (PDR) Gram-negative infections are prevalent, it is crucial to identify the primary sources of antibiotic resistance, understand resistant mechanisms, and develop strategies to combat these mechanisms. The emergence of resistance to last-resort antibiotics like colistin has sparked a war between humanity and resistant bacteria, leaving humanity struggling to find effective countermeasures. Although colistin is used as a highly toxic antibiotic in infections that are not treated with routine antibiotics, its widespread use in animal breeding and veterinary medicine has contributed to the spread of colistin-resistant bacteria, plasmid-borne colistin resistance genes (mcr), and antibiotic residues in livestock and animal-derived foods. These sources can potentially transmit colistin resistance to humans through various routes. Therefore, managing the use of colistin in livestock and animal foods, implementing strict monitoring, and establishing guidelines for its proper use are essential to prevent the escalation of colistin resistance. This review article discusses the latest mechanisms of colistin antibiotic resistance, particularly biofilm production as a public health threat, the livestock and animal food sources of this resistance, and the routes of transmission to humans.202540386099