AMR Genes

Antibiotic vs Antimicrobial Resistances

Antibiotic resistance occurs when microbes change in response to antibiotics used to treat infections, making the treatment ineffective.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a broader term, encompassing resistance to drugs that treat infections caused by a range of microbes:

Parasites (e.g. Malaria)
Viruses (e.g. HIV)
Bacteria (e.g. Salmonella)
Fungi (e.g. Candida)

Drivers and Effects of AMR Genes

On a global scale, the choices that people have made are the driving forces of antimicrobial resistance genes. The presence of these genes in microorganisms affects daily life in our environments through trading, health, and the global economy.

Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistances - Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resitstance - Report to the Secretary General of the United Nations - April 2019

Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistance

Humans

Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials
Poor access to quality, affordable medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics
Lack of awareness and knowledge
Population movement

Terrestrial & Aquatic Animals

Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials
Poor access to quality, affordable medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics
Lack of awareness and knowledge
Movement of animals

Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene

Lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
Poor infection and disease prevention and control in health care facilities and farms

Food & Feed

Poor infection and disease prevention and control
Transmission of resistant pathogens in food production, storage, distribution, and preparation

Environment

Discharge of waste from health care facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and farms

Plants & Crops

Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials
Poor infection and disease prevention and control

Impacts of Antimicrobial Resistance

Trade

Risks to food and feed production, businesses, and trade
Interaction with climate change

Health

Increased morbidity and mortality in humans and animals

Economy

Economic damage, loss of productivity, and increased health care expenditures

Where do AMR genes come from?

Mutations

When microbes reproduce, genetic mutations can occur. Sometimes, this will create a microbe with genes that help it survive in the face of antimicrobial agents.

Selective Pressure

Microbes that carry these resistance genes survive and replicate. The newly generated resistant microbes eventually become the dominant type.

Gene Transfer

Microbes can pick up genes from other microbes. Genes conferring drug resistance can easily transfer between microbes.

Phenotypic Change

Microbes can change some of their characteristics to become resistant to common antimicrobial agents.

Where do AMR genes come from?

Mutations

When microbes reproduce, genetic mutations can occur. Sometimes, this will create a microbe with genes that help it survive in the face of antimicrobial agents.

Selective Pressure

Microbes that carry these resistance genes survive and replicate. The newly generated resistant microbes eventually become the dominant type.

Gene Transfer

Microbes can pick up genes from other microbes. Genes conferring drug resistance can easily transfer between microbes.

Phenotypic Change

Microbes can change some of their characteristics to become resistant to common antimicrobial agents.

How far have we come?

Tackling AMR - A Cross-Council Initiative Programme - Medical Research Council

Where do we go from here?

Scientists and researchers working on the Home Biome project are trying to better understand AMR genes and antibacterial resistance genes, and how their environment affects them.

The primary goals are to:

Investigate the relationship between antimicrobial resistance and metal concentrations in house dust
See if common pollutants in our homes may be supporting/mediating increased microbial resistance
Identify 'hot-spots' of contamination
Assess spatial patterns or linkages with underlying meta-data