Antibiotics have been an essential tool for clinicians for 80 years, but their use is the single

most important factor contributing to antibacterial resistance (ABR).^1,2
 

If resistance persists and antibiotics become ineffective, public health will be significantly

impacted.³ The landmark O’Neill ‘Review on Antimicrobial Resistance' (AMR) puts it plainly: the challenge of resistance will only get worse in the future if we do not act now.⁴

 

POSITIVE. NEGATIVE. TIME TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE.
 

There are two main types of bacterial infections: Gram-positive and Gram-negative – diagnosed and distinguished based on their outer layers. Gram-negative bacteria are encased by a thin peptidoglycan cell wall, which itself is surrounded by an outer lipopolysaccharide membrane, while Gram-positive bacteria have a single thick peptidoglycan layer.^5,6

Infections caused by these bacteria differ, too. Gram-negative infections include certain types of pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis in healthcare settings. Gram-positive bacteria are responsible, for example, for skin and lung infections, meningitis, and toxic shock syndrome, and can cause other types of pneumonia too.^6–8

Due to their distinctive structure, Gram-negative bacteria are typically more prone to developing resistance, and infections caused by multi-drug resistant strains have recently risen significantly.⁹

On the other hand, Gram-positive bacteria frequently have high intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. These include some of the most widespread resistant pathogens that create serious clinical challenges.⁸


THE RISE OF RESISTANCE

Resistance to existing treatments is on the rise, yet developing new antibiotics is harder today than it has ever been. In fact, challenges in discovering and producing novel antibiotics are compounded by decreasing investment by industry and public funders.⁴

The best way to halt resistance to existing treatments is through collective interventions known as ‘stewardship’, including education, guideline development, audits, and feedback promoting sensible antibiotic use. Strategies like these must be enacted at community, national, and global levels.^10,11

Read more about what Pfizer is doing to combat antimicrobial resistance.

 

WHO KNOWS BEST
 

In 2017, the WHO (World Health Organization) published its first list of bacteria for which new

antibiotics are urgently needed. The list has helped shape the antibiotic landscape, and become a tool for raising awareness of resistance.¹² Bacteria were classified into three tiers based on the risk they pose to public health: critical, high, and medium.

The infections resulting from drug-resistant strains of bacteria are very difficult, and

sometimes impossible, to treat. Novel antibiotics could help in the future, but we can start

making changes today with appropriate prescribing and monitoring of existing treatments.¹³