TACKLING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE FEATURE
we may identify ways to replace their use while minimising unintended consequences. Preserving Antibiotics through Safe Stewardship: PASS University College London, ES/P008321/1 We have been overusing antibiotics for decades
to treat mild infections that would usually get better on their own. This overuse makes bacteria evolve so that they can survive the effect of an antibiotic, making infections much harder to treat. If we are to preserve antibiotics for the future, we need to make sure that they are used carefully and not wasted. This careful use of antibiotics, making sure that those who need them can benefit but
? What is AMR
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others.
Key facts n
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AMR threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.
AMR is an increasingly serious threat to global public health that requires action across all government sectors and society.
Without effective antibiotics, the success of major surgery and cancer chemotherapy would be compromised.
The cost of health care for patients with resistant infections is higher than care for patients with non-resistant infections due to longer duration of illness, additional tests and use of more expensive drugs.
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In 2016, 490,000 people developed multi-drug resistant TB globally, and drug resistance is starting to complicate the fight against HIV and malaria, as well.
Source: World Health Organization
that they are not over-used is known as ‘antibiotic stewardship’. This project will provide the information necessary to design approaches that can support safe antibiotic stewardship. Diagnostic innovation and livestock (DIAL): towards more effective and sustainable applications of antibiotics in livestock farming, University of Exeter, ES/P008194/1 The widespread use of antibiotics in livestock farming in many circumstances increasingly serves as alternative to the diagnosis, targeted treatment and prevention of disease in individual animals, flocks and herds. Better, smarter, more rapid and more accessible diagnoses, driven by a shift in the behaviours and conditions associated with diagnostic decision-making (whether performed in the laboratory or at the point-of-care by veterinarians or farmers) represents a critical step to delivering a more effective and sensible use of antibiotic medicines in animal health. This interdisciplinary research team will work with and draw from original, empirically driven information, understanding and analysis from diagnostic tool developers and regulators, professional bodies, farmers and the food industry to develop durable and innovative strategies for facilitating and advancing smarter approaches to the use of antibiotics in agriculture.
Understanding and improving antimicrobial prescribing in care homes: a multidisciplinary approach, University of Dundee, ES/P008224/1 Older people living in care homes are
prescribed many more antibiotics than average and as a result often get antibiotic resistant infections later, which are then harder to treat. There is general agreement that antibiotic use in care homes could and should be safely reduced.
SOCIETY NOW WINTER 2018 11
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