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Author Spotlight: Understanding and Detecting Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance by Combining Culture-Based Techniques and Genomics
Published on: July 19, 2024
Antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries: current status and future directions
Giorgia Sulis1, Sena Sayood2, Sumanth Gandra2
1Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Introduction:
Rising rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally continue to pose agrave threat to human health. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected, partly due to the high burden of communicable diseases.
Areas Covered:
We reviewed current trends in AMR in LMICs and examined the forces driving AMR in those regions. The state of interventions being undertaken to curb AMR across the developing world are discussed, and the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on those efforts is explored.
Expert Opinion:
The dynamics that drive AMR in LMICs are inseparable from the political, economic, socio-cultural, and environmental forces that shape these nations. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated underlying factors that increase AMR. Some progress is being made in implementing surveillance measures in LMICs, but implementation of concrete measures to meaningfully impact AMR rates must address the underlying structural issues that generate and promote AMR. This, in turn, will require large infrastructural investments and significant political will.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Addressing AMR requires tackling underlying political, economic, and social issues, alongside infrastructural investment and political will.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a severe and escalating threat to global public health.
- Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionate burden of AMR due to factors including a high prevalence of communicable diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current trends and driving forces of AMR in LMICs.
- To examine interventions aimed at curbing AMR in developing nations.
- To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AMR control efforts.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current trends in AMR in LMICs.
- Analysis of socioeconomic, political, and environmental factors influencing AMR.
- Assessment of ongoing interventions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Results:
- AMR dynamics in LMICs are deeply intertwined with political, economic, socio-cultural, and environmental factors.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified underlying drivers of AMR.
- While surveillance measures show some progress, substantial structural reforms and investment are crucial for effective AMR control.
Conclusions:
- Effective AMR mitigation in LMICs necessitates addressing deep-rooted structural issues.
- Significant infrastructural investment and strong political commitment are essential to combat rising AMR rates.
- A holistic approach integrating public health, policy, and economic development is required.
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