Antibiotic resistance is a growing global concern that impacts healthcare, agriculture, and food safety. Today, antibiotics are also widely used in agriculture to promote growth and prevent disease in livestock. This practice often contributes to the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria within the food chain. For instance, research has identified antibiotic-resistant pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multi-drug-resistant Salmonella, commonly present in food products, posing severe health risks. Resistant bacteria can be transmitted to humans through contaminated meat and other food products, leading to infections that are increasingly difficult to treat. Both misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals have accelerated the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing serious risks to public health and complicating the treatment of various infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Impact on Human Health
The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the food chain directly impacts human health by increasing the incidence of infections resistant to standard treatments. This issue is particularly alarming for UTIs, where common pathogens like Escherichia coli have developed significant resistance to antibiotics due to misuse in agriculture and overuse during treatments. Consequently, the options for effectively treating UTIs are diminishing, necessitating the use of stronger or more expensive antibiotics.
To combat antibiotic resistance, numerous regulatory measures have been proposed and implemented globally. These include stricter guidelines on antibiotic use in agriculture, enhanced surveillance of antibiotic use and resistance, and the promotion of alternative practices such as using probiotics and other non-antibiotic growth promoters in livestock. Additionally, public health campaigns aimed at reducing antibiotic misuse in human medicine are vital for mitigating the spread of resistance. Individuals must be encouraged to strengthen their gut microbiota through daily diet and lifestyle practices to help minimize the disturbance in the balance triggered by antibiotics or increased activity of harmful bacteria.
Role of Probiotics in Combating Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotics used to treat UTIs tend to reduce the lactobacilli population in the urinary system, often causing antibiotic resistance. In this regard, probiotics could be a better alternative to antibiotics owing to their ability to bind to the body’s uroepithelial cells and hamper the harmful pathogenic growth, and even biosurfactant secretion. While regular consumption of probiotic-rich food can help restore the natural balance of urogenital flora, oral intake of Lactobacillus through probiotics supplements can help colonise these bacteria in the urinary tract. The use of probiotic supplements, especially those featuring lactobacilli can prevent UTIs. Lactobacilli also tend to dominate the urogenital flora of premenopausal women. This is why probiotics supplements are often prescribed to restore the balance of the urogenital flora that is typically dominated by uropathogen. Such supplements are also known to help prevent recurrent UTIs and provide relief from symptoms.
Precautions to Minimize Risk
Individuals can take several precautions to minimise the risk of antibiotic resistance, including using antibiotics only when prescribed by a certified health professional, and finishing the full course as directed. In addition, they must maintain personal hygiene, wash their hands frequently, and handle food properly to prevent the spread of bacteria, reducing the need for antibiotics.
Expanding the Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance
The development of new technologies and molecules to replace or reduce the use of antibiotics in both agriculture and human medicine is crucial. Innovations like bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, and other novel anti-infective agents offer promising avenues for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Additionally, enhancing vaccination programs and improving infection prevention practices in healthcare and agricultural settings are vital steps toward controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance.
As the fight against antibiotic resistance intensifies, there is a need to enhance our strategies beyond current measures. A comprehensive approach must include the development and implementation of more precise diagnostic tools that can quickly identify bacterial infections and determine their susceptibility to antibiotics. This rapid identification would allow for more targeted therapy, reducing the indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics that foster resistance.
Strengthening Public Health Initiatives
To further safeguard public health, governments and organisations should promote and expand vaccination programs. Vaccines play a pivotal role in reducing the need for antibiotics by preventing bacterial infections from occurring in the first place. Increased investment in vaccine research and development, especially for the most common and dangerous bacteria, is a preventive measure that could significantly impact public health.
Additionally, by informing individuals about the dangers of antibiotic resistance and the steps they can take to prevent it, such as adhering to prescribed antibiotic regimens and avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use. In addition, we can empower the public to act as stewards of antibiotic use and educate them about the benefits of probiotic supplements to help them avoid and minimise the onset of infections induced by the imbalance of the gut environment. While the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance are daunting, they are not insurmountable, and sustained efforts can help combat them.
The author is Co-founder- TrueNorth Healthcare LLP (Sensibiotics)
.jpg)
_20240703165914_original_image_36.webp)
_20240703163440_original_image_27.webp)
