Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a rapidly escalating global health crisis that threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents.
It arises when microorganisms—such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—evolve mechanisms to withstand drugs designed to eliminate them. This resistance leads to prolonged illnesses, increased mortality, and higher healthcare costs.
Key drivers include the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in human medicine, agriculture, and veterinary care, compounded by inadequate infection control and a stagnating pipeline of new treatments.
Mechanisms of resistance include enzymatic drug degradation, target site modification, efflux pumps, and biofilm formation.
AMR undermines modern medical procedures such as surgery and chemotherapy, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Urgent global action is needed to promote responsible antimicrobial use, strengthen surveillance, and invest in research and innovation to curb this silent pandemic.
