In infection control there is antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is where
pathogens will no longer respond to the medications that would normally cure the issue.
This means infections are harder to get rid of and treat. It then means the risk of disease or
infection spreading increases. This can lead to the condition getting more serve or even
death (WHO,2021).
If someone is antimicrobial resistant then the microorganisms inside them will survive the
medicine and will not be killed. It will then changes form and shape to be able to protect the
structure from the medication. All the microorganisms will multiply and spread but if they
don’t they will transfer the resistance to other organisms. Because of this happening the
resistance with antibiotics becomes a concern as it is increasing. Individuals who have
resistant infections they have a high risk or worsened outcomes and death. Health care
resources then have an increased pressure added onto them, this including finance and staff
(Wyatt et al,2017).
One reason of why antimicrobial resistance happens is because of inappropriate use of
antibiotics (Niaid,2022). If an individual takes too many or they take them when they are
not feeling ill , when they actually need the medication the antibiotics won’t work. Bacteria
is more common if antibiotics are overused. The more antibiotics are used the more
resistant the body becomes. There is a chance to recover from the antimicrobial resistance ,
this is by decreasing the amount used. It should also be noticed antibiotics do not work for
all infections (AustralianGovernement,2017). With the inappropriate use it can also mean
that the antibiotics are being prescribed inappropriately. This can also include individuals
not taking the antibiotics they have been prescribed which won’t make them better and can
cause the infection to get worse (Wyatt et al,2017).
Another reason is mutation. Mutation is “the change in a DNA sequence” (Genome,2022).
Mutation happens slowly over a period of time. After the virus has mutated, the immune
system can no longer recognise the virus which means the body starts treating it as a new
invasion. An example of a virus that mutates is Influenza (Wyatt et al,2017). Because of the
mutation, change of gene can happen. This will cause proteins that are either5 faulty or do
, not function, this can be harmful as it can cause diseases. Radiation increases the chances of
mutation happening if there is a great use of radiation dosage (BBC bitsize,2022). All
different genetic mutations will depend on different types of resistance. The cells can be
isolated which will then make bacteria susceptible from the antibiotics. This relates to
chromosomal genes (Microbeonline,2021).
There are 6 steps of how antimicrobial resistance occurs. It is also about the development
of the resistance.
Step one: restrict access of the antibiotic (CDC,2022).
This is where germs are declining and restricting access. This is done by changing then entry
for the germs or it limits the entry of the germs. An example for this stage is that bacteria
has an outer layer that can protect them from the environment. It then stops the entry of
the antibiotics (CDC,2022). This means that the individual will not be able to be treated
properly and possibly could get worse. Mutation happens in the genes of bacterial cells
(BBCbitesize, 2022).
Step two: Getting rid of antibiotics (CDC,2022).
To be able to get rid of antibiotics germs have to pump the cell walls to remove the
antibiotics that are or have entered the cells. Certain bacteria use their pumps to stop and
get rid of antibiotics that are important. An example of an antibiotic is trimethoprim
(CDC,2022). Trimethoprim treats UTIs however it can also be used to treat other infections.
It comes either as a pill or liquid. It should be taken over two days and individuals should
start to feel better over a few days (NHS,2022).
Step three: changing or destroying the antibiotic (CDC,2022).
With the use of enzymes and proteins the germs will change the antibiotics, this will help
break up the drug. An example of an enzyme is carbapenemases (CDC,2022).
Step four: Bypass the effects of the antibiotics (CDC,2022).
In this stage cell processes are developed which help avoid the antibiotics. An example is
certain bacteria are able to bypass the effects of the drugs (CDC,2022). Also the mutations
are protecting the bacteria from the effects of the antibiotics (BCC bitesize,2022). The
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