“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats we face as a global community; it affects everyone, everywhere, and requires urgent action.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as the next global crisis after climate change, with far-reaching implications for human health. It undermines the effectiveness of antibiotics, making common infections more difficult to treat and increasing the risk of severe illness, prolonged hospital stays, and mortality. It poses a significant threat to modern medicine, as routine surgeries, cancer treatments, and childbirth become riskier without effective antibiotics.
“The climate crisis and AMR are two of the most complex threats the world currently faces; both have been worsened by and can be mitigated by human action.”
Mia Amor Mottley, President of Barbados
What is AMR?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the drugs used to treat them. This means that infections that were once easily treatable with antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals are becoming more complex and sometimes impossible to cure. AMR is a complex problem driven by various factors, including overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs, poor infection prevention, and control practices, and lack of investment in research and development of new medicines.
What Are WHO Research Priorities on Antimicrobial Resistance?
The research agenda for antimicrobial resistance in human health identifies 40 research priorities, including 33 for antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and fungi and seven for drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These priorities include developing new antimicrobial drugs and alternative therapies, optimizing existing drugs, improving diagnostic tools, and exploring non-pharmaceutical interventions. The agenda also emphasizes the need to investigate the prevalence, incidence, morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic impact of resistant infections and the impact of structural and health system factors on colonization and infection by resistant pathogens. Moreover, the research priorities aim to fill in the knowledge gaps, promote health equity, and mitigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance.
“This first research agenda from WHO will provide the world’s AMR researchers and funders with the most important topics to focus on and give the world its best chance to combat AMR.”
Dr. Silvia Bertagnolio, Unit Head of WHO AMR Division
According to the latest statistics by WHO, at least 700,000 people die each year from drug-resistant infections, and this number is expected to rise to 10 million by 2050 if no action is taken. AMR also has significantly affected economic and social costs, has increased healthcare costs, lost productivity, and reduced food security.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the gravity of the situation and has put forth a Global Action Plan on AMR to ensure the availability of effective antimicrobial drugs, strengthen surveillance and research, and enhance infection prevention and control.
But, working on the Global Action Plan on AMR is complex and challenging. As the WHO notes, “AMR is a global problem that requires a global response.” All countries must work together to address the problem regardless of income level.
“The research agenda provides a roadmap for the global research community to address critical knowledge gaps and develop innovative solutions to combat AMR. We must invest in research to ensure we have the tools to tackle this urgent threat.”
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance, WHO
One of the key priorities identified in the agenda is the need to develop new drugs and alternative therapies for drug-resistant infections. As Dr. Balkhy notes, “We urgently need new drugs to treat infections resistant to existing drugs. This requires a sustained investment in research and development, as well as innovative approaches to drug discovery.”
Another priority is the optimization of existing drugs to reduce the risk of resistance. This includes developing new treatment regimens that minimize the selection and transmission of resistant strains of bacteria and fungi. The research agenda notes, “Optimizing the use of existing antimicrobial drugs is a critical component of any strategy to combat AMR.”
Improved diagnostic tools are pivotal in promptly and accurately identifying drug-resistant infections. The research agenda emphasizes the importance of point-of-care tests that can be utilized in resource-limited settings. Advanced technologies like genomics are also instrumental in tracking the spread of resistant strains.
The research agenda also emphasizes the importance of non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, in reducing the burden of AMR. As the agenda notes, “WASH interventions have the potential to reduce the incidence of infections that drive the emergence and spread of AMR, such as diarrheal diseases.”
Conclusion
AMR is a global human health threat requiring urgent action. The WHO’s Global Action Plan on AMR and research agenda provide a roadmap for addressing this critical problem. As Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus notes, “We cannot afford to wait. We must act now to ensure that we have the tools to combat AMR and protect the health of future generations.”
Reference
Global research agenda for antimicrobial resistance in human health. (n.d.). https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/global-research-agenda-for-antimicrobial-resistance-in-human-health
