Emerging antibiotic resistance in bacteria with special reference to India

Raghunath, D (2008) Emerging antibiotic resistance in bacteria with special reference to India. In: Journal of Biosciences, 33 (4, Sp.). pp. 593-603.

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Abstract

The antibiotic era started in the 1940s and changed the profi le of infectious diseases and human demography. The burgeoning classes and numbers promised much and elimination of this major cause of human (and animal) morbidity appeared possible. Bacterial antibiotic resistance which was observed soon after antibiotic introduction has been studied extensively. Diverse mechanisms have been demonstrated and the genetic basis elucidated. The resilience of the prokaryote ecosystems to antibiotic stress has been realized. The paper presents these subjects briefl y to afford an overview. The epidemiology of antibiotic resistance is dealt with and community practices in different countries are described. The role of high antibiotic usage environments is indicated. The implication of the wide use of antibiotics in animals has been pointed out. Steadily increasing antibiotic resistance and decreasing numbers of newer antibiotics appear to point to a post-antibiotic period during which treatment of infections would become increasingly diffi cult.This article attempts to review the global antimicrobial resistance scene and juxtaposes it to the Indian experience. The prevalence in India of antibiotic resistance among major groups of pathogens is described. The factors that determine the prevalent high antibiotic resistance rates have been highlighted. The future research activity to ensure continued utility of antibiotics in the control of infections has been indicated.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Journal of Biosciences
Publisher:	Indian Academy of Sciences
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Indian Academy of Sciences.
Keywords:	Antibiotic modifying enzymes; antibiotic resistance; antimicrobial; epidemiology; plasmids/transposon/integron; post-antibiotic era
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2010 08:29
Last Modified:	25 Oct 2018 07:18
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/18130

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