ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Antimicrobial resistance due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics is a rising concern in India. The question remains: who is accountable, and what actions can be taken to address it.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

• About: It refers to the acquired resistance of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites etc., to the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs utilized for infection treatment.
• Cause: AMR arises from the evolutionary adaptation of microbes, especially when there is misuse or overuse of antibiotics.
• Impact of Overuse: Excessive use of antimicrobial drugs promotes the development of resistant or even extremely resistant strains known as superbugs.
• Spread of Superbugs: These superbugs can spread within hospitals, drinking water systems, and through sewers, posing widespread public health risks.
• Consequences: Infections caused by resistant pathogens fail to respond to commonly prescribed antibiotics, making them harder to treat and control.

Most Common Resistant Pathogens in India

• Common Pathogens in India: The three most commonly isolated resistant pathogens in India are E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. 
• Decreased Susceptibility of E. coli: It isolates have shown a significant reduction in antibiotic susceptibility. For instance, susceptibility to carbapenems decreased from 81.4% in 2017 to 62.7% in 2023, indicating growing resistance.
• Klebsiella pneumoniae Resistance: It has also exhibited reduced susceptibility to carbapenem antibiotics. Its susceptibility dropped from 58.5% to 35.6% and 48% to 37.6% between 2017 and 2023.
• Acinetobacter baumannii's High Resistance: Though Acinetobacter baumannii did not show significant change in susceptibility over the years, its resistance to carbapenems stood at 88% in 2023, making it highly resistant to even powerful antibiotics.