Preventing antimicrobial resistance: Understanding challenges and technology action

Antimicrobials were invented over a hundred years ago and became an incredible life-saving tool for the health of mankind. However, every coin has its two sides, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has appeared as a side effect of antibiotic and antimicrobial overuse. 

According to WHO, bacterial antimicrobial resistance was the direct cause of 1.27 million deaths in 2019. Antimicrobial resistance has been identified as one of the top crises in healthcare nowadays.

In this widespread technological age, it’s our job to leverage the power of technology to solve the antimicrobial resistance problem. In this article, we invite you to the journey to find out how digital technology can be engaged in preventing antimicrobial resistance.

Understanding antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex global health challenge. Understanding antimicrobial resistance in its entirety is fundamental will help develop practical strategies. The ultimate target is preventing antimicrobial resistance and enhancing responsible use of antimicrobials.

Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance arises from microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) adapting to the drugs designed to eliminate them. There are several mechanisms contribute to this phenomenon:

Genetic mutation: Microorganisms can go through genetic mutations that create resistance to antimicrobial agents. This mutation can occur naturally or be caused by selective pressure from the use of antibiotics.

Horizontal gene transfer: Resistance genes can be transferred between microorganisms through plasmid exchange. This horizontal transfer pushes the spread of resistance faster within microbial populations.

Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials: Excessive or wrong use of antimicrobial drugs in healthcare contributes mostly to the development of resistance. The selective pressure exercised by these drugs promotes the survival of resistant strains.

Incomplete treatment courses: Flaws in prescribed antimicrobial courses allow surviving microorganisms to develop resistance. This highlights the importance of patients joining prescribed treatment regimens.

Consequences of widespread antimicrobial resistance

The causes of widespread antimicrobial resistance are profound and extend across some domains:

- Resistant infections are often harder to treat, leading to higher mortality rates and long illness. Common infections, once easily manageable, can become life-threatening.

- Procedures such as surgery, chemotherapy, and organ transplantation become riskier when effective antimicrobials are limited. Infections that were once manageable post-procedure now pose a higher threat.

- Antimicrobial resistance influence may be unpleasant to the economy . This may include increased healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and a bigger burden on health systems to manage illnesses.

As resistance spreads, the collection of effective antimicrobial drugs decreases. This limitation leaves healthcare providers with fewer options for treating infections. It will require the development of new drugs to keep pace with evolving resistance patterns.

Challenges in tracking and managing antimicrobial resistance data

Tracking and managing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data pose huge challenges due to the complex nature of the issue, the diversity of healthcare systems, and the global data. Some of the key challenges include:

Data fragmentation and Lack of standardization

Standardized protocols are needed for collecting, analyzing, and reporting AMR data across different regions and healthcare settings. 

AMR data often exist in fragmented and disparate systems, including electronic health records (EHRs), laboratory information systems, and public health databases.

The lack of data consistency makes it hard to create comparability and accurately assess the global data on antimicrobial resistance.

The rapid evolution of resistance

Microorganisms evolve rapidly, and new resistance mechanisms can emerge unpredictably. Traditional surveillance methods may need help to keep pace with these changes, emphasizing the need for continuous adaptation and innovation in tracking methods.

Global coordination and collaboration

AMR is a global issue that requires international collaboration. However, challenges in coordinating efforts and sharing data between countries can arise due to differing priorities, regulatory frameworks, and data-sharing policies.

Overreliance on clinical isolates

Healthcare management systems often rely on AMR data from clinical isolates obtained in healthcare settings. This approach may make it hard to fully capture resistance patterns in the community, leading to an incomplete understanding of the issue.

Data quality and accuracy

Only accurate or complete data compromise the reliability of AMR information. Challenges such as misdiagnoses, inconsistent testing methods, and variations in reporting practices can introduce biases and errors into the data.

Antibiotic usage data challenges

Accurate tracking of antibiotic usage is crucial for understanding the development of resistance. However, getting precise and comprehensive data on antibiotic prescriptions and over-the-counter usage is often challenging.

Data privacy and security

AMR data typically involve sensitive patient information. Ensuring robust data privacy and security measures is essential to comply with regulations and build public trust. Balancing data sharing for management with protecting individual privacy is a delicate task.

Limited funding and resources

Many regions, especially in low- and middle-income countries, face financial constraints and resource shortages. Investing in administration infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and implementing robust data management systems requires considerable funding and resources.

The need for a dedicated antimicrobial resistance database

The urgent need for an antimicrobial resistance database (AMR database) is highlighted by the escalating global threat posed by drug-resistant microorganisms. Such a database would be a centralized storage, consolidating comprehensive information on resistance patterns, treatment outcomes, and emerging trends.

By centralizing AMR data, healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers can access real-time, accurate information crucial for informed decision-making. A dedicated database promotes the standardization of data collection methodologies, ensuring consistency in reporting across various healthcare systems. This, in turn, facilitates the identification of high-risk areas, trends, and novel resistance mechanisms.

Furthermore, a centralized AMR database encourages international collaboration, enabling the global community to collectively address this challenge. The database would be a key tool in shaping evidence-based policies and guiding effective antimicrobial management programs. At last, microbial research efforts are being advanced to develop new treatment strategies in the face of evolving resistance patterns.

Read more: AMR database for healthcare providers: Fighting the health threat

Conclusion

As antimicrobial resistance grows, we need more effective weapons to fight it. Antimicrobial resistance databases can be an efficient tool for healthcare providers to get comprehensive and accurate information about new antimicrobial resistance bacteria. From that, healthcare organizations and governments can accurately detect and deliver suitable prevention plans, and avoid the loss caused by antimicrobial resistance.