Deadly AMR Superbugs - Their Significance and Health Impacts
Mankind developed antibiotics to destroy pathogens that enter our bodies, thereby aiding in recovery. However, as years passed, we became so dependent on these powerful drugs that they are taken for every sneeze and cold, leading to overuse. Such excessive use of antimicrobials has resulted in increased antibiotic resistance among pathogens.
Antimicrobial resistance, also known as drug resistance, develops in harmful microorganisms in ways that render the medications used to treat infections ineffective against the pathogens. It defines the ability of disease-causing microbes to resist the effects of antibiotics and continue to multiply. As per WHO (World Health Organisation), when microbes show resistance to most antibiotics, they are referred to as “superbugs.”
With 700,000 people succumbing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) per year and another 10 million estimated to die due to it by 2050 worldwide, AMR alone is responsible for more mortality than cancer and road traffic accidents combined together. [1] [2]
AMR leads to mortality of 1.4 million people globally each year, and India is at the forefront of this crisis. Given the rate at which AMR infections are accelerating as a worldwide threat, India is becoming a hotspot for these superbugs. [3]
Antimicrobial resistance in India
If the antibiotics consumed are weak, they promote bacteria to develop a full resistance to medication. As resistance to common antibiotics rises to 10% from 2021-2022, India is facing the challenge of emerging superbugs. In India, ESKAPE pathogens- Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumanii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been found to be resistant to fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins. [4] [5]
The major sources of anti-microbial resistant bacteria and their genes in India are pharmaceutical waste waters and hospital effluents that enter water bodies without much treatment. Additionally, healthcare organisations are also sources of the generation of antimicrobial waste through patient secretions or unused discarded medications.
Every day, people touch up to 300 surfaces per hour and their face 16 times an hour, which transfers germs and contributes to the spread of AMR pathogens.
A clinical microbiologist, Dr Sampada Patwardhan from Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in India, mentioned that microorganisms are capable of adapting to and sustaining extreme environments. [6] Antimicrobial resistance is observed in microbes when they are able to withstand powerful antibiotics and change or mutate themselves. This is achieved by enzyme secretion that inactivates the antibiotic, transforming cell membrane permeability to inhibit antimicrobials, etc. [7]
Weak chemicals, disinfectants containing older generation compounds, or single-active ingredients increase the probability to create AMR as microbes build resistance to chemicals, thus increasing the risk of spreading AMR infections.
Additionally, poor hygiene compliance can increase the risk of AMR, which is more likely when healthcare facilities apply hazardous chemicals that are cumbersome to use. If chemicals damage surfaces and cannot be applied throughout an area, it becomes impossible to decontaminate the whole environment. This further increases the risk of AMR infections.
According to Microbiologist Dr. Camilla Rodrigues, chairperson of P.D. Hinduja Hospital’s infection control committee, in India, there is increased emphasis on prescribing antibiotics as compared to infection control. India needs more attention to infection control by focusing on sanitation and reducing the use of antibiotics will reduce antibiotic resistance.
In Dr. Camilla’s words, “The sanitation connection, though overlooked, is elementary: cleaner surroundings both in the community as well in hospitals can check the incidence of infectious diseases and bring down drug use.” This highlights the need to shift our attention from quick-fix solutions to addressing the root cause of the superbug problem, which are providing better sanitation and a clean environment.[7]
Impacts of AMR on public health in India
While India combats new therapeutic challenges associated with multi-drug resistant (MDR) microorganisms, age-old illnesses such as tuberculosis, malaria and cholera are becoming a concern due to drug resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance in pathogens is known to infect newborns in India and potentially cause fatal neonatal sepsis, resulting in organ failure. Reports reveal that drug resistance in pathogens to first-line antibiotics has caused 58,000 neonatal deaths in India.
Neonatal sepsis affects 16 per thousand live births in India, where a third of the infants die due to antibiotics not being as effective as they were supposed to be. For example, the MRSA superbug is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics — a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that includes methicillin, oxacillin and cephalosporins. [8]
Antibiotic resistance makes it difficult to treat illnesses, and increases the risk of disease transmission, severe illness and death.
Need for patient education
Science and research have advanced over the years, giving us the best solutions against various pathogens. Unfortunately, despite the progress, critical infections by superbugs are not rare anymore. Since AMR infections are a major concern, they require more awareness in the healthcare industry and among the public.
The first step in containing AMR is to make healthcare workers and the general public aware of them through effective communication and education. Public health awareness programmes must be conducted in healthcare institutions to promote behaviour change among target populations, including stakeholders and medical professionals. The primary agenda is to focus on awareness-building, both among consumers and providers.
Mass education would discourage the unnecessary or excess use of antibiotics, which is the main factor for AMR in superbugs. For instance, many Indian hospitals fail to integrate sanitation protocols, thereby increasing the scope for transferring drug-resistant pathogens in the form of secondary infections. This calls for the implementation of stringent infection control practices in hospitals along with strict protocols for disinfection.[3]
India needs to recognise that AMR is a multi-faceted concern, the containment of which requires a prolonged approach. Various factors, such as increased burden of bacterial infections, poor sanitary and hygiene conditions, emphasise the concern for controlling AMR infections in the country.
How Bioguard can help
Bioguard’s products are powered by Biochem, the unique patented compound we have developed for high performance cleaning & disinfection.
Our products powered by Biochem are effective and resistant against AMR pathogens, including MRSA & ESKAPE pathogens.
We offer disinfectants that are economical and require minimum quantities without compromising on disinfection efficacy. As a result, Bioguard disinfectants are effective, deliver rapid action and ensure high performance in your battle against AMR.
Our Unique Benefits:
- Trusted – Regularly used by healthcare professionals in over 25,000 sites across the UK, Europe and GCC in high-risk environments. Bioguard products are now protecting India.
- Proven – Independently tested to the gold standard European Norms [EN], EN13624:2013, EN13727:2012, EN14476:2013, EN17216:2018 & EN13704:2018, EN14348:2005, EN16615:2015 and EN1500.
- Robust – Broad Spectrum Microbiological Efficacy means our products are effective against a wide variety of organisms such as ESKAPE pathogens, Clostridium difficile spores, Mycobacterium, viruses, bacteria and fungi.
- Fast Acting – It is effective in under 30 seconds*.
- Safe – Products are non-hazardous and non-toxic and have been MEA & VOC tested to ensure they are safe and do not cause skin rashes or harmful vapours to users, improving the likelihood of hygiene compliance and reducing the risk AMR.
- Multi-Surface – Usable on virtually all surfaces (including fabrics and furnishings), so you can decontaminate the whole environment without causing degradation to surfaces, improving hygiene compliance and reducing the risk of AMR.
- Reliable – The product will remain effective in environments with high soiling levels, improving hygiene compliance and reducing the risk of AMR.
- Efficient – Combined cleaning and disinfection capability eliminates the need for multiple products, we can rationalise your product requirements, thereby saving inventory and reducing cleaning complexity levels, improving hygiene compliance and reducing the risk of AMR.
- Alcohol-Free* – Ensuring our product does not cause skin irritation is gentle when in contact with skin and meets certain users’ religious demands.
- pH Neutral – Neutral pH not only helps protect the skin, but also the surfaces where it is being used.
- Eco-Friendly - After it does its job, it breaks down into harmless salt ions and water.
