AMR and AMS Flashcards
define antimicrobials
all agents acting against microorganisms - bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa
define antibiotics
produced naturally by microorganisms and kill or init the growth of other microorganisms - mainly bacteria
define antimicrobial resistance
ability of bacteria to protect themselves gains the effects of an antibiotics
describe clinical resistance or drug resistant infection
bacterium can grow in antibiotic concentrations reached in the body during antibiotic therapy - resulting in treamtne failure
mechanisms of resistance
either innate or acquired;
pumping the antibiotic out of the bacterial cell
producing molecules to destroy the antibiotic
acquired resistance
novel mutation or transfer of genes;
vertical transmission
horizontal transmission
how does acquired resistance occur
transformation
transduction
conjugation
transformation
bacteria scavenge resistance genes from dead bacterial cells and integrate them into their own genes
transduction
resistance genes are transferred by bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria)
conjugation
genes are transferred between bacterial cells through tubes called pili
divers of AMR
misuse or overuse !!
environmental contamination
health-care transmission
consequences of AMR - health impact
increased morbidity and mortality
consequences of AMR - economic impact
increase costs
indirect costs
antimicrobial prescribing drivers for AMR
misuse
no microbiology cultures being taken in patients
antimicrobial stewardship (AMS)
Prudent prescribing is NOT to prescribe as few antibiotics as possible but to IDENTIFY that small group of patients who REALLY need antibiotic treatment and then explain, reassure and educate the large group of patients who don’t.
