Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Saurashtra, Gujarat and implications toward sustainable healthcare

Abstract

Growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major worldwide healthcare problems at present. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is part of the natural process of evolution among microorganisms, but which is expedited manifold by the unregulated and over-the-counter use of antibiotics. This induces new and more severe resistance mechanisms in the microbes, which is quite difficult to treat with the routinely prescribed antibiotics, ultimately leading to prolonged infections, disease and even death of the host. WHO had, back in 2014, issued a strict warning in its report about the rising incidence and future threat of AMR globally. So, the present epidemiological survey was carried out to evaluate the growing incidence of antimicrobial resistance in Rajkot, a city located in the western part of India. The data was collected from various clinical settings e.g., hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers, situated across the city, which was later statistically evaluated for clinical significance. The results clearly indicated towards the rising prevalence of resistance in some of the important clinical pathogens for example, Escherichia. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, S. aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, etc., against some of commonly used antibiotics e.g. ampicillin, piperacillin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and aztreonam. This study clearly highlights the danger and challenge of treating antibiotic resistant infections in future, also drawing attention to a similar crisis probably existing in various parts of the world. It is very crucial to control this situation in relevance to SDG goals also, as minimizing the prevalence and effect of diseases is an important target to achieve in Goal-3, that aims to promote healthy lives and well-being for all.