Combating Bacterial Resistance

Bacterial resistance is increasing at a very rapid rate. This is mainly due to ineffective infection prevention and inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Bacterial resistance is one of the most troubling problems in the world today. This is because infections become increasingly resistant to antibiotic therapy fairly quickly.

Estimates suggest that such resistance is growing exponentially. This is largely due to the misuse of antibiotics that people often overuse. We have come to a point where many treatments against bacteria are no longer effective.

This is dangerous as we are becoming more and more vulnerable to various infectious diseases. We also need individual, collective and government action to prevent the problem from getting worse.

What is bacterial resistance?

This is the mechanism by which bacteria reduce the effect of agents that attack them. It is a process of natural selection and genetic adaptation in which microorganisms defeat certain drugs.

Also, bacterial resistance occurs when the concentration of an antibiotic is four times lower than the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). In other words, this occurs when the bacterium’s ability to neutralize its attacker increases fourfold.

Currently, the rate of emergence of new resistant organisms is greater than the rate at which new ones become available. Therefore, we have a deficit that continues to grow, leaving us vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Types and mechanisms of bacterial resistance

There are two types of bacterial resistance. One is natural; that is, it is part of the nature of bacteria. The other happens when genetic mutations occur that repel antibiotic substances. Such mutations are passed on to other bacteria, including those of other species.

There are several mechanisms of bacterial resistance:

• The first is the active excretion of the antibiotic, which acts as a kind of ejector pump.
• The second mechanism is decreased permeability of the bacterial wall (for example, increased access barriers for antibiotics)
• The third mechanism is the production of enzymes that inactivate the antibiotic. This means that they block and neutralize the normal effect of the drug.

Strategies to prevent bacterial resistance

The first strategy to prevent bacterial resistance is to prevent infections. We can achieve this to a large extent through basic actions such as washing hands frequently, cooking food properly, avoiding contact with infected people, and being without delaying vaccinations.

At this point, it is important to pay attention to the importance of proper hygiene when cooking. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights five keys to doing this:

• Keep kitchen areas and utensils clean.
• Separate raw food from cooked food.
• Follow food safety rules when cooking.
• Store food at the right temperature.
• Use clean water and uncontaminated raw materials.

Likewise, it is important that people do not self-medicate and take antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor. They should also follow professional instructions regarding times and doses.

It is not recommended to interrupt treatment even if you feel better. There is a risk of developing more resistant bacteria if you do not take the prescribed amount of medication.

Other control measures

Farm workers should only use antibiotics on animals under the strict supervision of a veterinarian. Inappropriate use of these drugs in agriculture or animal husbandry is one of the main causes of bacterial resistance. It spreads to the environment and people through the food chain.

Health personnel should also take extreme control measures in this regard. The researchers found that doctors prescribe 50% of antibiotics for viral diseases, even though this is a very wrong practice. In fact, they should only prescribe antibiotics if there is certainty that they are absolutely necessary.