Staphylococcus aureus is one of a number of pathogens with increased abilities to evade the effects of antimicrobial agents, with MRSA continuing to evolve. New technology is now allowing quicker identification of infection-causing pathogens, allowing earlier treatment and adoption of other measures to limit spread, explains Camila Onyekwere.
Multidrug resistance, recognised as one of the foremost global health challenges, stems largely from the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents. Among the most pressing concerns within this realm are ESKAPE pathogens, representing a group of bacteria resilient to multiple drugs and capable of causing severe infections. ESKAPE, an acronym encompassing both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, comprises Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter.1 These pathogens are notorious for their ability to evade the effects of antimicrobial agents, posing significant threats to public health due to their high resistance to multiple antibiotics.
Impact of multidrug resistance
The rising prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms, particularly those linked to nosocomial infections, greatly strains healthcare systems worldwide. This strain manifests in various ways, including elevated mortality and morbidity rates, heightened treatment costs, diagnostic challenges, and a growing scepticism toward conventional medical interventions. Consequently, urgent action is warranted to bolster antibiotic stewardship efforts and devise effective strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.1
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