Bacteria Are Plotting… and We’re the Drama! Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance and Why Stewardship Matters by Citlalli G.

Have you ever been prescribed an oral antibiotic from your doctor and never finished the entire bottle? I can attest that I, like many, have. Although this may seem like no big deal, patient noncompliance is one of the many reasons why the rise of antimicrobial-resistant “superbugs” have made national headlines recently.

Citlalli extracts potential antibiotic compounds from bacteria isolated as part of the Tiny Earth Project in BIO 145: Diversity of Microorganisms.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the result of disease-causing bacteria evolving to survive the antibiotic agents designed to kill them. This makes treating infections more difficult and sometimes impossible. Although evolution is natural, human behaviors such as using non-prescription antibiotics, overusing household cleaning products, and the excessive usage in livestock farming has expedited the process and made treatable bacterial infections deadly.

According to the World Health Organization, antimicrobial resistance could claim the lives of 10 million per year by 2050 if we do not spring into action. Fortunately, you do not need to throw on a lab coat and goggles to help combat antimicrobial resistance. This is where antimicrobial stewardship comes in: a coordinated effort that everyone can join to use antibiotics appropriately and when necessary by making simple, responsible choices.

What can you do? Take antibiotics as prescribed and only when needed. Complete the full course even if you start feeling better, and never share or save antibiotics. Don’t ask your Physician to prescribe you antibiotics for viral infections like colds, the flu, or COVID-19 if you are not at risk of developing a secondary infection as antibiotics do not treat viral infections. Get vaccinated, if possible, to reduce the risk of infections. Steer away from antimicrobial soaps or disinfectants for household cleaning if they are not necessary. Lastly, support policies that regulate antibiotic use in livestock farming.

Antibiotics are one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine, but they are not an unlimited resource. The generation of new antibiotic is a slow process and extremely costly. By being mindful and informed we can slow down the rise of resistant bacteria and give science the time it needs to catch up. Together, we can ensure that antibiotic use remains effective and safe for future generations.