The Silent Epidemic: Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial drugs, classified as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic, are drugs that kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when these pathogens no longer respond to these drugs and therefore become ineffective against infections. AMR increases the risk of spreading to others. AMR, often referred to as?“The Silent Epidemic”, is one of the major global threats that humanity is now facing.

AMR Mechanism

AMR is normally a natural process that happens over time through cell division. With this mechanism drug-resistant microorganisms can spread between animal, human, and plant populations and migrate through the environment, compromising our ability to survive infections.?

Consequences of AMR

The main reason is the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and plants. AMR poses a threat to human and animal health, and food security. AMR risks making all modern medicine infections untreatable and increasing the risk of even routine medical procedures. It creates the need for more expensive and intensive care while prolonging hospital stays. If no action is taken, it is estimated that drug-resistant disease could cause 10 million deaths each year and an overall additional cost of 1 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2050.

Actions Against AMR

Actions against AMR start by preventing infections. Everyone’s access to essential healthcare services, timely, and accurate diagnosis, and appropriate diagnosis should be ensured. On the individual level, following general hygiene and vaccination recommendations, using antibiotics only when prescribed, and following the recommended dose and duration are important in preventing AMR.?

The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW)

The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices in countries to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. It is celebrated between 18-24 November every year.?

On WAAW (World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week), as Anatolia, we emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis, which is the basic step for the prevention of infections and appropriate treatment. With our research on antimicrobial resistance, we continue to develop innovative solutions to serve global health. We provide an important solution in this field by offering the opportunity to detect 10 different antibiotic resistance genes from human whole blood samples with our products such as the Bosphore ABR Screening Kit, which we deliver to the end user.??