The World Health Organization states that the main drivers of antimicrobial resi

Question

The World Health Organization states that the main drivers of antimicrobial resistant are:

“Inappropriate and irrational use of medicines provides favorable conditions for resistant microorganisms to emerge and spread. For example, when patients do not take the full course of a prescribed antimicrobial or when poor quality antimicrobials are used, resistant microorganisms can emerge and spread. “

Describe an example that you are personally aware of in which antimicrobials have been used inappropriately and how the situation might have been handled differently.

Also explain how the scenario you describe might contribute to increased antimicrobial resistance.

Explanation / Answer

Use of antibiotics in livestock animals is a good example. An antibiotic named as "Carbapenem" is given to farm animals. These antibiotics are used in extreme cases and are also called as last-line medications. These antibiotics are used in hospitalized people.

In a study it was identified that farm animals are already resistant to these "Carbapenem". Carbapenem resistant bacteria were found to grow on the walls and fecal matter present in pig farms. This resistance came due to overuse of this expensive antibiotic in the farms.

Cause and explanation of this scenario: "Carbapenem" antibiotic is illegal and costly. But farm people, who are illiterate and ignorant, use this antibiotic without proper prescription and recommendation of expert on their farms to get rid of bacterial infection. Now, there is a proper course for antibiotic treatment. An antibiotic should be given for a prescribed period of time to get rid of the bacteria completely. In farms, the illiterate pig-farmer, do not give the whole dose of antibiotics; because he/she is not aware of the same and the antibiotic is costly. So, the bacteria get a very little dose of the antibiotics; eventually they become resistant in the coming generations.

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