Short Communication - (2025) Volume 14, Issue 2
Received: 03-Mar-2025, Manuscript No. jmmd-25-172625;
Editor assigned: 05-Mar-2025, Pre QC No. P-172625;
Reviewed: 19-Mar-2025, QC No. Q-172625;
Revised: 24-Mar-2025, Manuscript No. R-172625;
Published:
31-Mar-2025
, DOI: 10.37421/2161-0703.2025.14.520
Citation: Kimani, Daniel O.. ”Combating Global Multidrug Resistance: A One Health Approach.” J Med Microb Diagn 14 (2025):520.
Copyright: © 2025 Kimani O. Daniel This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
This study provided a comprehensive estimate of the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2019, revealing it as a leading cause of death globally. It found that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths and contributed to 4.95 million deaths. The findings highlighted specific pathogen-drug combinations causing the most fatalities and underscored the urgent need for action to combat resistance[1].
This review offers an in-depth look at the current strategies for managing infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. It discusses the limited therapeutic options, the importance of accurate diagnostics, and the role of combination therapies in combating these challenging infections, emphasizing the need for both novel antibiotics and optimized use of existing drugs[2].
This article provides an essential update on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), highlighting its persistent global challenge. It covers the epidemiology, current diagnostic limitations, and the evolution of treatment regimens, emphasizing the critical need for accelerated research and better access to effective drugs and diagnostics to curb the spread of this deadly disease[3].
This article explores the growing difficulties in treating multidrug-resistant fungal infections, which pose a significant threat, especially to immunocompromised patients. It addresses the limited arsenal of antifungal drugs, the emergence of pan-resistant strains like Candida auris, and the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies and improved diagnostic tools to combat this escalating crisis[4].
This article examines healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, outlining key risk factors, adverse patient outcomes, and effective prevention strategies. It emphasizes the importance of robust infection control practices, surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship programs in mitigating the spread of these challenging infections within healthcare settings and improving patient safety[5].
This review explores various alternative strategies to combat the rising tide of antimicrobial resistance, moving beyond traditional antibiotics. It discusses promising approaches such as phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, CRISPR-Cas systems, and antivirulence strategies, highlighting their potential to overcome resistance mechanisms and offer new avenues for treating multidrug-resistant infections[6].
This article dissects the complexities and future potential of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance. It highlights the fragmentation of existing data, the disparities in surveillance capacity across regions, and the urgent need for harmonized, robust systems. The authors emphasize that effective surveillance is fundamental for informing policy, guiding interventions, and tracking the progression of MDR threats worldwide[7].
This paper advocates for a "One Health" approach to tackle antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing the crucial role of environmental reservoirs. It discusses how antibiotics and resistant bacteria disseminate through soil, water, and food systems, impacting human and animal health. The article stresses the interconnectedness of environmental, animal, and human health in the fight against MDR organisms and the necessity for integrated surveillance and intervention strategies[8].
This review critically assesses the economic burden imposed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), revealing substantial costs to healthcare systems and societies globally. It synthesizes findings on direct healthcare expenditures, productivity losses, and indirect costs associated with prolonged hospital stays, treatment failures, and increased mortality. The article underscores the significant financial incentive to invest in AMR prevention and control[9].
This article outlines a critical roadmap for the global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), calling for coordinated international efforts. It emphasizes the need for robust national action plans, strengthened surveillance, investment in research and development for new antimicrobials, and improved access to essential medicines. The authors advocate for sustained political commitment to address the multifaceted challenges of MDR organisms[10].
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a formidable global health crisis. A comprehensive study revealed that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths in 2019 and contributed to a staggering 4.95 million deaths, marking it as a leading cause of mortality worldwide [1]. The findings highlighted specific pathogen-drug combinations as the most fatal, emphasizing the urgent need for global action against resistance [1]. This pervasive threat isn't limited to common bacteria; multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections pose significant management challenges due to limited therapeutic options [2]. These situations necessitate precise diagnostics and often rely on combination therapies, pointing to a dual need for novel antibiotics and better use of existing ones [2].
The global challenge extends to specific pathogens, notably multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This persistent issue requires an essential update on its epidemiology, current diagnostic limitations, and evolving treatment regimens [3]. There is a critical demand for accelerated research and improved access to effective drugs and diagnostics to control the spread of this deadly disease [3]. Furthermore, the medical community grapples with growing difficulties in treating MDR fungal infections, which are a serious threat, especially for immunocompromised patients. The limited arsenal of antifungal drugs and the emergence of pan-resistant strains, such as Candida auris, demand new therapeutic strategies and enhanced diagnostic tools to combat this escalating crisis [4]. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) caused by MDR organisms also contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality. Key risk factors and adverse patient outcomes underscore the importance of robust infection control, vigilant surveillance, and effective antimicrobial stewardship programs to mitigate spread within healthcare settings and improve patient safety [5].
Moving beyond conventional antibiotics, various alternative strategies are being explored to combat the rising tide of AMR. Promising approaches include phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, CRISPR-Cas systems, and antivirulence strategies [6]. These innovative methods hold potential to overcome existing resistance mechanisms, offering new avenues for treating otherwise intractable MDR infections [6]. Recognizing the interconnectedness of health, a "One Health" approach is increasingly advocated. This perspective emphasizes the crucial role of environmental reservoirs in AMR dissemination, as antibiotics and resistant bacteria spread through soil, water, and food systems, affecting both human and animal health [8]. Integrated surveillance and intervention strategies are essential for this holistic fight against MDR organisms [8].
The complexities of global AMR surveillance highlight a critical area for improvement. Existing data fragmentation and disparities in surveillance capacity across regions demand harmonized, robust systems [7]. Effective surveillance is foundational for informing policy, guiding interventions, and tracking the progression of MDR threats worldwide [7]. Economically, AMR imposes substantial costs on healthcare systems and societies globally. A critical review of the literature reveals significant direct healthcare expenditures, productivity losses, and indirect costs stemming from prolonged hospital stays, treatment failures, and increased mortality [9]. These economic findings provide a compelling financial incentive to invest proactively in AMR prevention and control [9].
In response to these multifaceted challenges, a critical roadmap for global action against AMR has been outlined. This calls for coordinated international efforts, emphasizing the necessity of robust national action plans, strengthened surveillance, and substantial investment in research and development for new antimicrobials [10]. Additionally, improved access to essential medicines is paramount. Sustained political commitment is advocated to address the complex challenges posed by MDR organisms, ensuring a unified and effective global response [10].
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a leading global health threat, directly causing 1.27 million deaths and contributing to nearly 5 million annually, driven by specific pathogen-drug combinations [1]. This crisis extends to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, with limited therapeutic options, and MDR tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which remains a persistent global challenge requiring accelerated research and better diagnostics [2, 3]. Beyond bacteria, MDR fungal infections, including pan-resistant strains like Candida auris, present significant difficulties, especially for immunocompromised patients, highlighting the need for new antifungals [4]. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by MDR organisms are a major concern, necessitating robust infection control and antimicrobial stewardship [5]. Addressing this multifaceted problem requires moving beyond traditional antibiotics. Alternative strategies like phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, and antivirulence approaches show promise for treating resistant infections [6]. Effective global surveillance is crucial, but fragmented data and regional disparities underscore the urgent need for harmonized systems to inform policy and track threats [7]. The economic burden of AMR is substantial, encompassing direct healthcare costs, productivity losses, and increased mortality, providing a clear financial incentive for investment in prevention [9]. Ultimately, a "One Health" approach, acknowledging the environmental dissemination of resistance through soil, water, and food systems, is essential for comprehensive intervention [8]. A global roadmap for action calls for coordinated international efforts, strong national plans, and sustained political commitment to research, development, and access to essential medicines [10]. This holistic approach is vital to combating the spread of MDR organisms and improving patient safety worldwide.
None
None
Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref
Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref
Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref
Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref
Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref
Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref
Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref
Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref
Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref
Medical Microbiology & Diagnosis received 14 citations as per Google Scholar report
