Antibiotic Resistance

The Research and Development Corporation (RAND) has estimated in its study that "failure to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will mean that by 2050 the world's population will be 11-444 million fewer than it would be in the absence of AMR". Despite the fact that we live in an era of new technologies in biomedical research, many incurable infectious diseases are considered to be the leading causes of death worldwide. Increased use of antibiotics by humans and livestock are two of the main reasons for the emergence of resistant bacteria in hospitals, human communities, and livestock farms.

The problem of antibiotic resistance is complex and multifaceted, and it requires coordinated efforts by healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public. Strategies to combat antibiotic resistance include the appropriate use of antibiotics, the development of new antibiotics and alternative treatments, and prevention and infection control. The WHO has declared antibiotic resistance to be one of the main threats to humanity.

Widely used antibacterial agents largely suppress the immune defence mechanisms of the macroorganism, stimulate the activation of microbial adaptation mechanisms and, as a result, the emergence of multidrug-resistant nosocomial strains. The acquired drug resistance of clinical strains of microorganisms is due, on the one hand, to the acquisition of new genetic information or changes in the expression of their own genes, and, on the other hand, to the formation of biofilms.

The ongoing military conflict in Ukraine plays a significant role in increasing the level of infectious diseases, hospital-acquired infections, sepsis, etc. In particular, purulent-septic complications of gunshot and mine-blast wounds develop in 50-75% of cases and require long-term multistage antibiotic therapy. The leading causes of death are infectious complications with sepsis (28.9 per cent) and multiple organ failure (37.5 per cent).

In the context of active hostilities in Ukraine, there is no data on the prescription and rational use of antibiotic therapy.

Determining the link between antibiotic use and resistance can help to develop appropriate management programmes to promote appropriate antibiotic use.

It is extremely important to continue research to develop effective alternative methods of attacking antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains using physical methods (LED radiation, ultrasound, magnetic field, etc.) and organic compounds of plant origin (diindolylmethane (DIM)), etc.

A balanced approach that combines the effective use of antibiotics, preventive measures and the development of new treatment strategies is essential to overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Contact person

Svitlana Malanchuk
Phone: +380 (50) 953-95-00
E-mail: s.malanchuk@karazin.ua