Microbes Fight Back

Recent world news has been full of stories about viral variants of Covid19 and their abilities to overcome immune defences. Things have, however, been relatively quiet (although medical concerns have been evident much longer) about the growing importance of antimicrobial resistance. A comprehensive world study in the journal Lancet, estimated that, in 2019, at least 1.2 million people (3,500 per day) died from formerly treatable bacterial infections (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jan/20/antimicrobial-resistance-antibiotic-resistant-bacterial-infections-deaths-lancet-study). Antimicrobial resistance refers to the development of strains of bacteria that cannot be eradicated by antibiotic treatment. The World Health Organisation has long warned of the dangers of such antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. The reasons for their development are very simple. Antibiotics effectively exert selection pressures on bacteria. Bacteria that survive antibiotic treatment, will persist and their characteristics will be increased in subsequent populations. The rapid divisions of bacteria (in minutes), means they can evolve much more quickly than humans and other organisms. Humans also don't help themselves by overusing the limited array of antibiotics. Antibiotics can be inappropriately prescribed for viral infections (like the Common cold or influenza). Sometimes, patients, with a sniffle, demand antibiotics from their doctors. Antibiotics are also used as growth enhancers in meat production. Farm animals house bacteria and antibiotic resistant strains can be developed in these 'culture vessels'. Resistant bacteria also tend to accumulate in locations, like hospitals and gyms, where antibiotics are much used. The solution to the problem has been evident for many years. The range of antibiotics needs to be increased and they need to be employed much more efficiently. Microbes are not going to simply 'lay down and die'.