How Does Antimicrobial Resistance Work In Your Body?

In recent decades, the global medical community has faced a growing threat: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop the ability to resist the drugs designed to kill them. As a result, once-effective treatments such as antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-fungals lose their efficacy, allowing infections to persist and sometimes lead to severe consequences. Understanding how antimicrobial resistance works in the body and its implications on global health is crucial in combating this silent crisis. In this article, we will explore how AMR develops, its impact on the human body, and the pros and cons of this biological phenomenon.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of microbes to adapt and survive exposure to drugs that once killed them. This adaptation makes infections more difficult to treat, increasing the risk of spread, complications, and death. Resistance develops through genetic mutations or the acquisition of resistance genes from other organisms. Once a microbe becomes resistant, it can thrive despite being treated with antimicrobial agents, rendering the drugs ineffective.

How does AMR develop in the body?

The body serves as an environment where microbes can evolve, especially under selective pressure from the overuse or misuse of antibiotics. Here's how antimicrobial resistance works in the body:

1. Selective pressure and overuse of antibiotics

When antibiotics are overprescribed or improperly used (e.g., not finishing a prescribed course), only the susceptible bacteria are killed off, while resistant ones survive and continue multiplying. This selective pressure creates a population of bacteria with resistance to the drug, making future treatments less effective.

2. Genetic mutations

In the natural course of microbial replication, random genetic mutations can occur. Occasionally, these mutations grant bacteria the ability to neutralise or evade the effects of antibiotics. Once these bacteria multiply, the resistant trait becomes dominant, leading to widespread resistance.

3. Horizontal gene transfer

Microbes, especially bacteria, can share genetic material with each other through a process known as horizontal gene transfer. This allows resistant bacteria to pass their resistance genes to other bacteria, even those of different species, accelerating the spread of resistance in the body.

4. Biofilm formation

Some bacteria can form biofilms, which are communities of bacteria encased in a protective matrix. This biofilm creates a physical barrier that protects the bacteria from antibiotics, making the treatment less effective and contributing to the persistence of infections.

5. Efflux Pumps

Some bacteria develop efflux pumps that actively pump the antimicrobial drug out of the cell, preventing it from reaching its target and reducing its effectiveness.

6. Enzymatic Degradation

Certain bacteria produce enzymes that can break down or inactivate antimicrobial agents before they can exert their effects. For instance, some bacteria produce beta-lactamase, an enzyme that destroys penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics.

Pros of AMR (From a biological perspective)

1. Survival advantage for microbes

For microorganisms, developing resistance is a survival mechanism. The ability to resist antimicrobial agents allows them to multiply, thrive, and dominate in environments where they would otherwise be killed.

2. Evolutionary adaptation

Resistance is an example of evolution in action. Bacteria and other microbes constantly evolve in response to their environment, including the presence of antibiotics. This adaptability is essential for the microbes' long-term survival and evolution.

Cons of AMR (From a human health perspective)

1. Ineffective treatments

As more pathogens develop resistance, the medications we rely on to treat infections become less effective, resulting in prolonged illness, increased hospitalisations, and higher mortality rates.

2. Increased healthcare costs

Treating resistant infections often requires more expensive medications, longer hospital stays, and more intensive care, which significantly increases the burden on healthcare systems globally.

3. Higher risk of complications and death

Infections caused by resistant organisms are more likely to spread unchecked, causing complications such as sepsis or organ failure. In some cases, untreatable infections can be fatal.

4. Limited drug options

The development of new antibiotics has slowed, leaving healthcare providers with fewer options for treating resistant infections. As existing drugs become less effective, the threat of untreatable superbugs looms larger.

Prevention: How pollution and lifestyle choices impact AMR

Managing and reducing AMR requires coordinated efforts, including responsible antibiotic use, better hygiene practices, and increased investment in the development of new treatments.

1. Antibiotic overuse in agriculture

One of the major contributors to AMR is the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture, where they are used to promote growth and prevent disease in livestock. This practice encourages the development of resistant bacteria, which can spread to humans through contaminated food or water sources.

2. Self-medication and misuse of antibiotics

Self-medication or misuse of antibiotics without proper medical supervision is a significant contributor to the rise of AMR. Many individuals take antibiotics for viral infections like the flu or cold, despite the fact that antibiotics have no effect on viruses.

3. Poor hygiene and sanitation

In areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water, infections can spread more easily, promoting the development and spread of resistant organisms.

4. Travel and globalisation

In today's globalised world, people can travel across continents in a matter of hours, making it easier for resistant bacteria to spread. International travel has been a key factor in the global spread of AMR, turning it into a pressing worldwide health issue.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most significant public health challenges facing the world today. As bacteria and other microbes continue to evolve in response to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, the threat of untreatable infections grows larger. While antimicrobial resistance is a natural evolutionary process for microbes, it poses severe consequences for human health. Ultimately, protecting our health from antimicrobial resistance is a shared responsibility, requiring individuals, healthcare providers, and governments to take proactive steps. The consequences of inaction could be devastating, turning once easily-treatable infections into deadly threats that no longer respond to medical interventions.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.