Breaking AMR Myths
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to pose a serious threat to public health, predicted to cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050(1). Whilst AMR is starting to receive more attention there are still many misconceptions shared by individuals on AMR and antibiotics specifically. As it is World AMR Awareness Week, together with the National Biofilms Innovation Centre, we thought it would be a good time to address some of these common myths and explain why they are untrue!
Before we delve into these misconceptions, we thought it would be beneficial to include a few useful definitions!
Antimicrobial resistance: When microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites are no longer affected by antimicrobial drugs.
Antibiotics: A type of antimicrobial drug which kills or stops the spread of bacteria.
Antibiotic resistance: When bacteria acquire resistance towards antibiotics and are no longer affected by the medication.
Myth 1: AMR is when the human body becomes resistant to antimicrobials
In a global study conducted by the World Health Organization in 2015, the report identified that over three quarters of participants believed that antibiotic resistance was a consequence of the human body acquiring resistance to antibiotics(2). This is false.
AMR arises when microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses gain resistance towards antimicrobials(3). This process occurs naturally when microbes experience genetic changes(3). These changes provide microorganisms with properties that enable them to evade the actions of antimicrobials(3). For example, bacteria can produce proteins which inactivate antibiotics, hindering them ineffective(4). They can also decrease the permeability of their cell membrane, preventing the antibiotic entering the bacteria and causing damage(4).
Myth 2: Antibiotics can treat all types of infections
There can be the misconception that antibiotics can be used to successfully treat viral and fungal infections(5). This is untrue. Antibiotics are administered to individuals to treat or prevent bacterial infections(6). The common cold and flu are two illnesses which should not be treated with antibiotics(7).
Myth 3: There is nothing I can do as an individual to stop the spread of AMR
In a recent study conducted in England, researchers found that 39% of participants thought that there was nothing they could do to help combat antibiotic resistance(5). To successfully combat the AMR crisis, collaboration and efforts between policymakers, healthcare workers and the public is essential.
Here are just two ways that individuals like ourselves can help combat AMR:
1. Firstly, it is important that we follow high quality hygiene practices to reduce the spread of infections between people. By reducing the spread of disease, we can help to reduce our demand on antimicrobials. This is important for preventing new resistant strains of microorganisms emerging.
2. Secondly, we must ensure that we use antimicrobials safely. It is important that we access and follow guidance provided by healthcare professionals, and do not share our prescriptions with friends and family(8).
Myth 4: Antibiotics do not affect other bacteria in our bodies
Whilst antibiotics are useful for killing harmful bacteria, they can also cause unwanted damage to good bacteria that naturally exist in our bodies(9). The human gut is full of beneficial microorganisms, home to hundreds of different bacterial species(9). These microorganisms play an important role in digesting carbohydrates, developing our immune systems and preventing harmful microorganisms colonising our gut(10).
Some antibiotics can unfortunately disrupt the natural community of microorganisms that reside in our gut(9). This can create an environment which promotes the establishment of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and can cause unwanted side effects such as diarrhoea (9,11).
Hopefully this has broken some myths you might have had around AMR! To learn more about AMR and World AMR Awareness Week check out the World Health Organization’s website and materials here!
References:
1. O’Neil, J. Tackling Drug-Resistant Infections Globally: Final Report and Recommendations. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. 2016. [Accessed 2024, November 6]. Available at: https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/160518_Final%20paper_with%20cover.pdf
2. World Health Organization. Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey. World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland. 2015. [Accessed 2024, November 6] Available at: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/194460/9789241509817_eng.pdf
3. World Health Organization. Antimicrobial resistance. [Internet]. 2023. [Accessed 2024, November 6]. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance
4. Munita, JM. Arias, CA. Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance. Microbiology Spectrum. 2016. 4(2). [Accessed 2024, November 7]. https://doi.org/10.1128/microbiolspec.vmbf-0016-2015
5. McNulty, C. Read, B. Quigley, A. Verlander, NQ, Lecky, DM. What the public in England know about antibiotic use and resistance in 202: a face-to-face questionnaire survey. BMJ Open. 12. [Accessed 2024, November 7]. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055464
6. NHS. Uses – Antibiotics. [Internet]. 2022. [Accessed 2024, November 7]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antibiotics/uses/#:~:text=Antibiotics%20are%20used%20to%20treat,without%20antibiotics%20%E2%80%93%20such%20as%20acne
7. NHS. Overview – Antibiotics. [Internet]. 2022. [Accessed 2024, November 7]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antibiotics/
8. Ashiru-Oredope, D. What is antimicrobial resistance and why do we need to take action against it? [Internet]. 2021. [Accessed 2024, November 7]. Available at: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2021/11/17/what-is-antimicrobial-resistance-and-why-do-we-need-to-take-action-against-it/
9. Lathakumari, RH. Vajravelu, K. Satheesan, A. Ravi, S. Thulukanam, J. Antibiotics and the gut microbiome: Understanding the impact on human health. Medicines in Microecology. 2024. 10. [Accessed 2024, November 7]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medmic.2024.100106
10. Anto, L. Blesso, CN. Interplay between diet, the gut microbiome, and atherosclerosis: Role of dysbiosis and microbial metabolites on inflammation and disordered lipid metabolism. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2022. 105. [Accessed 2024, November 7]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.108991
11. Patangia, DV. Ryan, CA. Dempsey, E. Ross, RP. Stanton, C. Impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and consequences for host health. Microbiology Open. 2022. 13(11). [Accessed 2024, November 7]. DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1260
The information and opinions expressed in this blog post represent those of the original author of the blog. They do not necessarily reflect and represent the views and opinions of the Phage Collection Project or its staff.