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Antimicrobial Resistance

From discovering new antibiotics, to implementing policies that steward existing drugs in the antimicrobial toolbox, this issue of Microcosm explores antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and how to combat one of the largest threats to global public health and the environment.

Lessons From a Decade of Antimicrobial Resistance Policy

How has antimicrobial resistance research informed the evolution of both U.S. and international policy over the past 10 years? In the multifaceted fight against AMR, microbiologists and policymakers play key roles.

Growing Resistance: How Plant Agriculture Contributes to AMR 

Certain practices, such as uncontrolled spraying of fungicides, in plant agriculture and crop production are known to facilitate the spread of pathogenic, resistant microbes to human consumers. Understanding how antimicrobial resistance spreads from farm to fork is key to growing healthy crops, and not superbugs.

Understanding the Risks of Antifungal Resistance

The rise of antifungal resistant pathogens like Candida auris and Aspergillus fumigatus is sounding alarms. How common is antifungal resistance? Who is at risk? What pathogens are of particular concern, and how significant is the overall threat?

Experts in East Africa Propose Equitable AMR Interventions

Local experts in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Tanzania share strategies for combating AMR, emphasizing the need for equitable health care interventions, as well as sustained laboratory and workforce development.

Wastewater As a Key Driver of AMR 

Antimicrobial resistance advances through the interaction between humans, animals and the environment. Understanding how wastewater spreads AMR is critical to defeating this global menace.

Exploring a One Health Approach to AMR in Pakistan 

AMR was ranked the third-leading cause of death for Pakistanis in 2019, behind only cardiovascular disease and maternal/neonatal disorders. Insights from strategies being applied to combat this threat in Pakistan can serve as a case study to help inform a One Health approach to combat AMR worldwide.

Federally Qualified Health Centers Lead AMR Stewardship 

Implementing outpatient and inpatient antimicrobial stewardship programs, especially in Federally Qualified Health Centers, requires multidisciplinary teams and sustained educational efforts.

Updating Breakpoints in Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Evidence about optimal treatment approaches for infections caused by antimicrobial resistant organisms changes over time. So too should clinical breakpoints for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Hunting for Antibiotics in Unusual and Unculturable Microbes

As the antimicrobial resistance crisis grows, so does the need to discover new antibiotics. To find them, scientists are sifting through extracts from unusual and (once) unculturable microbes.

What’s Hot in the Microbial Sciences 

From molecular de-extinction in drug discovery to investigating clove oil as an adjuvant to combat colistin resistance and applications for phage therapy to treat acne, learn about what’s hot in the microbial sciences.

 
Read more groundbreaking research and cutting-edge scientific articles in previous issues of Microcosm, ASM's flagship, members-only magazine. Microcosm is available in digital format and as downloadable PDFs.

Read Previous Microcosm Issues