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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
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Antibiotic resistance: a historical perspective

B A Cunha1

  • 1Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.

Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|August 10, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global issue, particularly in pulmonary pathogens. Selective antibiotic use, restricting high-resistance agents, and infection control are key to managing this problem.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a significant and escalating global health concern.
  • Resistance is prevalent in community-acquired and nosocomial pulmonary pathogens.
  • Misconceptions exist regarding the drivers of antibiotic resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the factors contributing to antibiotic resistance.
  • To differentiate between relative and absolute antibiotic resistance and their therapeutic relevance.
  • To provide strategies for controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing literature on antibiotic resistance mechanisms and epidemiology.
  • Classification of antibiotic resistance as relative or absolute.
  • Identification of specific antibiotics with high resistance potential.

Main Results:

  • High antibiotic usage alone does not solely cause resistance; it is agent-specific.
  • Antibiotics like ampicillin, cefamandole, ceftazidime, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, and vancomycin are associated with high resistance potential.
  • Relative vs. absolute resistance has distinct therapeutic implications.

Conclusions:

  • Restricting the use of high-resistance potential antibiotics is crucial.
  • Implementing effective infection control measures alongside formulary adjustments can mitigate resistance.
  • Selective antibiotic prescribing, favoring low-resistance agents, is essential for controlling antibiotic resistance.

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