Opportunities and threats in the post-antibiotic era

Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms change when they are exposed to antibiotics. Then, treatment becomes ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spreading to other persons. The new resistance mechanisms that are emerging and spreading globally cause that the so far applied methods of treatment do not work, threatening the human ability to resist common infectious diseases, which in turn results in prolonged infections or even death. Antimicrobial resistance occurs naturally over time, usually through genetic changes. However, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are accelerating this process. It has become common to overuse and misuse antibiotics both in people and animals, which are often prescribed without professional oversight. Antimicrobial resistance is a complex problem that affects all of society and is driven by many interconnected factors. Single, isolated interventions have limited impact. Coordinated action is required to minimise the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.