AMR Awareness

Written By: Tawan Petpaiboon

June 6, 2020

One of the problems that deal with drugs is AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance). This occurs when an antibiotic becomes ineffective due to the bacteria being resistant to it. The first antibiotic is called “Penicillin.” However, as time passed, a population of antibiotic-resistant bacteria emerged. Because of the plasmid that contains the resistant gene to Penicillin, these bacteria were able to pass on this gene to other bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. These bacteria were able to survive in the humans and keep causing diseases to their host. Luckily, scientists have discovered the inhibitor that will deactivate the gene for antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

It is known that most bacteria have a gene that is resistant to the drug called “Tetracycline.” Therefore, with this gene called “Tet(X7),” bacteria can survive in an environment full of this drug. The main function of the gene is to break down Tetracycline. However, recently, scientists, namely Niraj Tolia and Hirdesh Kumar, have made further observations and formed a protein that resembles Tet(X7). To better understand the function of Tet(X7), they hope that this protein will help with finding the inhibitor to the Tetracycline-degrading gene. Soon after, another scientist named Wencewicz had formed a structure that could inhibit the antibiotic-resistant gene from destroying Tetracycline.

To reduce antibiotic resistance, scientists have found several ways. For the community to contribute, people should stop using antibiotics to treat viral diseases such as a cold. Patients should also follow the prescription of the antibiotic given by the doctor. In terms of community actions, vaccines and alternatives should be used to prevent and cure unnecessary diseases. Scientists have developed several ways to come up with new antibiotics. One very famous way is to mix two different antibiotics together. This is called “antibiotic heterogeneity,” a controversial technique. Although there have been many proven cases of it being helpful, some scientists still don’t support it because the complication of the usage may have effects on the person taking it.

Many campaigns have been formed to raise the awareness of antibiotic resistance. One of them includes the World Antibiotic Awareness Week that is launched every year by the World Health Organization (WHO). Some policies include vaccination, sanitation, proper use of antibiotics, and safe sex. Despite the fact that most people really see it as a serious problem, AMR is still a global issue that needs to be regulated.