Antibiotic resistance: unless we act soon!(Editorial)

Today, several health-related issues are crying for attention. The spread of HIV infection, the continuing surge of lifestyle illnesses, the perceived threat of bioterrorism, the continuing scourge of malnutrition and infectious diseases afflicting children in the developing countries and the under-privileged sections the world over finding the healthcare system inaccessible, are some of them. Spread of anti-microbial resistance is one such issue that has the potential of diminishing, if not nullifying, the benefits that mankind has reaped through the use of anti-microbial agents.

Resistance is not a new phenomenon. Bacteria are known to develop resistance to an anti-microbial agent within a few years of the agent being cleared for use. (1) What is new is the fact that the number of organisms that are becoming resistant to anti-microbial agents and the prevalence of resistant infections are rising enormously. (2-5) In the past, nosocomial infections were notorious for being resistant to the routinely used antibiotics. Now, resistant organisms are responsible for an increasing number of community-acquired infections. (6-8) Unfortunately, resistant bugs are no more the monopoly of hospitals and healthcare institutes. The factors responsible for the emergence and spread of anti-bacterial resistance have been clearly identified. (9,10) Amongst them, overuse and abuse of antibiotics constitutes the most vital factor. Hence, …