Immune Basis of Antimicrobial Resistance

Antibiotics are among the most important discoveries of the 20th century, having saved millions of lives from infectious diseases. Microbes have developed acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to many drugs due to high selection pressure from the increasing use and misuse of antibiotics over the years. The transmission and acquisition of AMR occur primarily via a human-to-human interface, both within and outside of healthcare facilities. A huge number of interdependent factors related to healthcare and agriculture govern the development of AMR through various drug-resistance mechanisms. The emergence and spread of AMR from the unrestricted use of antimicrobials in livestock feed has been a major contributing factor. The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has attained an incongruous level worldwide and threatens global public health as a silent pandemic, necessitating urgent intervention. Therapeutic options for infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are limited, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality with a high financial impact.