Antimicrobial resistance a continued global threat to public health – A perspective and mitigation strategies

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stands as an imminent menace to global public health, demanding meticulous scrutiny. The speedy expansion of resistant bacteria worldwide jeopardizes the effectiveness of antibiotics, which have altered medicine and saved several lives. The paradigm shifts from the antibiotic era to the era of resistance, particularly within Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Enterobacter species bacteria, which unfolds a pivotal narrative. Categorizing pathogens based on priority illuminates the critical imperative for novel antibiotics. An exhaustive exploration into bacterial resistance mechanisms unveils the intricacies of extended-spectrum cephalosporins resistance, multi-drug resistance, fluoroquinolone resistance, and carbapenem resistance. The complexity intensifies as these pathogens manipulate drug targets, enzymatically neutralize antibiotics, alter outer membrane permeability, and engage in active efflux. The paper discerns the grim repercussions of “Difficult-to-treat resistance,” accentuating elevated mortality rates. A focused analysis of public health, illustrated through the prism of the healthcare landscape, delineates the challenges arising from rampant antibiotic usage, healthcare disparities, and prevailing practices. To address AMR effectively, a comprehensive strategy is imperative. Innovative interventions, alternative treatments, and physicochemical methods are also contributing effectively. Similarly, systematic approaches, including national action plans, antibiotics, and stewardship, are crucial. This scientific exposition underscores the urgency of global collaboration, innovative interventions, and organized strategies to effectively counteract AMR, safeguarding public health in the face of this imminent threat. In this review, we focus on AMR mechanisms and potential strategies for mitigation.