What is Antibiotic Resistance?

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – also known as antibiotic resistance – describes the process by which bacteria have evolved to resist the effects of antibiotics. Since the introduction of penicillin changed the face of modern medicine in 1941, bacterial infections have grown to resist these key components of medical treatment. 

There are several factors that have accelerated the rate of global drug-resistance. These include the inappropriate use of antibiotics, over-the-counter availability without prescription, industry marketing and influence, knowledge gaps in how to best manage antibiotics, and a lack of access to accurate, practical, affordable and rapid diagnostic testing.

As a result, bacterial infections have rapidly evolved to resist even the most powerful antibiotics of ‘last resort’, creating a collection of infections that can no longer be treated with the medicines we have available. These drug-resistant infections have become known as ‘superbugs’. 

In 2019, antibiotic resistant infections directly killed 1.3m people around the world and contributed to the deaths of 5m in total. By 2050 it is predicted antibiotic resistant infections will cause 10m deaths annually unless action is taken to slow the spread. 

Fortunately, there is increasing awareness of antibiotic resistance and its causes within the global medical community, and an increasing understanding among the public and governments about how to take action to curb the rise of drug-resistant bacteria.

The development of a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test is essential to stewarding antibiotics. They will enable health professionals to administer the right drug at the right time and only when needed. Today, tests used to identify bacterial infections are carried out in laboratories and typically take 2-3 days to produce an accurate test result. 

A new generation of rapid, accurate and affordable diagnostic tests will enable clinicians, nurses and pharmacists to quickly identify the presence of a bacterial infection and understand which antibiotic will be an effective treatment within minutes instead of days. 

Providing clinicians with these novel diagnostics, empowers them to make the best clinical and diagnostic decisions in the interest of their patients and for a future where antibiotics continue to work.