Inconsistent antimicrobial stewardship programs and deficiencies in systemic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have facilitated the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in many countries across the globe. Consequently, antimicrobial-resistant infections have been steadily increasing in both developed and developing countries.
A high-profile report predicted unprecedented mortality due to AMR, reaching 10 million cases in 2050 without interventions to control resistance. As more antimicrobials are becoming less effective against drug-resistant bacteria, the focus must expand towards alternative therapies for treating infections. While some progress has been made, the current challenge is to implement these alternative therapies in clinical practice and to gradually replace/supplement conventional antimicrobial therapies. To address these challenges, studies must focus on AMR surveillance in humans, animals, food, and the environment; in addition to, antimicrobial stewardship interventions and combining conventional antimicrobials with alternative therapies. More studies are necessary to promote next-generation anti-infectives and reduce the inappropriate use of antimicrobials.
Drug-resistant pathogens lead to increased 1) reliance on potent antimicrobials, 2) spread of healthcare- and community-associated infections, 3) and morbidity and mortality. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate AMR emergence and transmission using a One Health approach and investigate alternatives that reduce reliance on conventional antimicrobials. Additionally, there is a need to highlight new advances in non-traditional and next-generation antimicrobial products, which have been gaining increasing attention as a viable alternative to overcome the many barriers preventing traditional antimicrobial development and reducing antimicrobial use.
This research topic is focused on trends in AMR (dynamics and mechanisms of resistance) and antimicrobial use in both developing and developed countries. Special attention and consideration will be given to studies investigating AMR and associated outcomes in vulnerable populations (e.g., refugees, immunocompromised individuals, disenfranchised communities). The latter can include the impact of the environment (e.g., WASH programs and pollution) as well as the movement (travel, displacement, immigration) and interactions between these communities and the larger population on the selection and propagation of AMR. Fundamental investigations on novel therapeutics, intervention strategies that could represent alternatives to antibiotics and judicious access to antimicrobials in these populations and their hosting communities. Furthermore, reports on new and innovative approaches for disrupting the emergence and spread of resistance are highly encouraged. The latter can include studies on antimicrobial awareness, antimicrobial stewardship interventions, antimicrobial prescription behavior, WASH programs as well as the discovery of affordable and naturally occurring antibiotic alternatives, synthetically derived chemicals, and biotechnology-based approaches to mitigate AMR.
The scope of this Research Topic is to address the global antimicrobial resistance threat, fill knowledge gaps in the understanding of the dynamics of AMR transmission, through a One Health approach, and highlight new advances in next-generation anti-infective therapies for bacterial infections. All manuscript types, including Original Research, Clinical Trials, Case Reports, General and Systematic Reviews, Perspectives, and Opinions will be considered.
Inconsistent antimicrobial stewardship programs and deficiencies in systemic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have facilitated the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in many countries across the globe. Consequently, antimicrobial-resistant infections have been steadily increasing in both developed and developing countries.
A high-profile report predicted unprecedented mortality due to AMR, reaching 10 million cases in 2050 without interventions to control resistance. As more antimicrobials are becoming less effective against drug-resistant bacteria, the focus must expand towards alternative therapies for treating infections. While some progress has been made, the current challenge is to implement these alternative therapies in clinical practice and to gradually replace/supplement conventional antimicrobial therapies. To address these challenges, studies must focus on AMR surveillance in humans, animals, food, and the environment; in addition to, antimicrobial stewardship interventions and combining conventional antimicrobials with alternative therapies. More studies are necessary to promote next-generation anti-infectives and reduce the inappropriate use of antimicrobials.
Drug-resistant pathogens lead to increased 1) reliance on potent antimicrobials, 2) spread of healthcare- and community-associated infections, 3) and morbidity and mortality. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate AMR emergence and transmission using a One Health approach and investigate alternatives that reduce reliance on conventional antimicrobials. Additionally, there is a need to highlight new advances in non-traditional and next-generation antimicrobial products, which have been gaining increasing attention as a viable alternative to overcome the many barriers preventing traditional antimicrobial development and reducing antimicrobial use.
This research topic is focused on trends in AMR (dynamics and mechanisms of resistance) and antimicrobial use in both developing and developed countries. Special attention and consideration will be given to studies investigating AMR and associated outcomes in vulnerable populations (e.g., refugees, immunocompromised individuals, disenfranchised communities). The latter can include the impact of the environment (e.g., WASH programs and pollution) as well as the movement (travel, displacement, immigration) and interactions between these communities and the larger population on the selection and propagation of AMR. Fundamental investigations on novel therapeutics, intervention strategies that could represent alternatives to antibiotics and judicious access to antimicrobials in these populations and their hosting communities. Furthermore, reports on new and innovative approaches for disrupting the emergence and spread of resistance are highly encouraged. The latter can include studies on antimicrobial awareness, antimicrobial stewardship interventions, antimicrobial prescription behavior, WASH programs as well as the discovery of affordable and naturally occurring antibiotic alternatives, synthetically derived chemicals, and biotechnology-based approaches to mitigate AMR.
The scope of this Research Topic is to address the global antimicrobial resistance threat, fill knowledge gaps in the understanding of the dynamics of AMR transmission, through a One Health approach, and highlight new advances in next-generation anti-infective therapies for bacterial infections. All manuscript types, including Original Research, Clinical Trials, Case Reports, General and Systematic Reviews, Perspectives, and Opinions will be considered.
