Antimicrobial Resistance: Global Challenges, Resistance Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global public health and economic stability, driven by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary practice, and agriculture. The spread of resistance mechanisms, such as enzymatic degradation, efflux pumps, and horizontal gene transfer, further exacerbates this issue, particularly in low-resource settings. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of antimicrobial resistance, including its molecular mechanisms, global challenges, economic burden, and innovative mitigation strategies such as antimicrobial stewardship, phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, and CRISPR-based approaches. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to gather recent studies, reviews, and guidelines related to AMR. Relevant data on resistance mechanisms, global trends, clinical implications, and mitigation strategies were synthesized to provide an integrated overview of current challenges and solutions. The review highlights how AMR contributes to increased mortality, prolonged illness, and healthcare costs, while barriers such as limited antibiotic research and diagnostic capacity hinder progress. Integrated approaches, including antimicrobial stewardship, vaccination, phage therapy, and CRISPR-based therapies, are essential to reduce resistance. Additionally, global initiatives like surveillance systems and public awareness campaigns play a vital role in controlling the spread of resistant infections. Addressing AMR requires coordinated global efforts involving stewardship programs, novel therapeutics, education, and surveillance systems. Sustainable action can reduce antibiotic misuse and delay resistance development, securing effective treatments for future generations.