- Course overview
- Search within this course
- How do we study pathogens?
- Public pathogen data
- A guide to the Pathogens Portal
- Analysing genomic data from pathogens
- Identification and investigation of antimicrobial resistance genes
- Looking for antimicrobial resistance genes in different environments
- Data sharing
- The future of AMR
- Crossword: Test your knowledge
- Your feedback
- Further resources
- Help and support
- Glossary
- References
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What is antimicrobial resistance?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when infection-causing microorganisms, known as pathogens, evolve ways to survive antimicrobial treatments, such as antibiotics. Pathogenic microorganisms can include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.
Why is antimicrobial resistance important?
Although the development of AMR is a naturally occurring process due to evolution, it has been accelerated in recent times by human activity, primarily through the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in the healthcare, agricultural, and veterinary sectors.
As a result of its rapid emergence, AMR has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the most prominent threats to global health. Without effective antimicrobials our ability to treat infectious diseases is severely compromised, leading to prolonged illness in patients, increased risk of disease spread, and elevated mortality rates. AMR also threatens the health of plants and animals, which can have significant downstream effects on agricultural productivity, food security and the economy. [1] [2]