About this Research Topic

Background

AMR is the long-lasting pandemic problem on earth. Clinical AMR was first reported four years before Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928. Antibiotics act by inhibiting the synthesis of a bacterial cell, synthesis of proteins, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), by a membrane disorganizing agent, other specific actions, or entering the cell wall of the bacteria by binding to them using the energy-dependent transport mechanisms in ribosomal sites and subsequently leads to the inhibition of the protein synthesis. The development of resistance to antimicrobials is a natural phenomenon and develops in no time making it a big matter of concern. High-level penicillin resistance was first recognized in 1977 in South Africa, where it was responsible for an epidemic of pneumococcal meningitis unresponsive to penicillin. The incidence of antibiotic resistance is quite variable geographically and reflects the local level of antibiotic usage. AMR genes and bacteria are continuously exchanged between humans, animals, and the environment leading to MDR, XDR, and PDR strains.

Antimicrobials are the “wonder drugs” to combat pathogenic microbes. Undoubtedly these are blessing for civilization saving millions of lives. Resistance to antimicrobials is a natural phenomenon, which is further aggravated by the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials. Thus, there should be stringent rules and regulations with policies, procedures, and guidelines implemented, accordingly, on the use of antimicrobials. Depending on the variation in the resistance pattern of different organisms in different countries and regions, based on laboratory diagnosis of AMR, policies, procedures, and guidelines may vary from country to country and region by region; however, basic rules and regulations on the supply and use of antimicrobials should be universal. The collective goal of this research topic is to develop a complete review of AMR addressing all the past events meticulously, highlight the recent and current trend of antimicrobial resistance from the analyses of laboratory diagnosis results of AMR, and particularly focus on the novel research and development on AMR. AMR is not a problem of a particular region or area, country, or nation. It is truly a gigantic global catastrophe. The ultimate goal of this research topic is to contribute to the containment of AMR worldwide.

Articles to be accepted under the above-mentioned research topics are specific review articles, analyses of AMR laboratory data, and novel research works, impacting the containment of AMR globally. Review articles may include, but are not limited to, the evolution of AMR and its mechanism in different organisms’ causing life-threatening diseases in humans and/or animal. One particular interest under this research topic will be articles on retrospective and prospective data analyses of laboratory diagnosis results on AMR, which will support the formulation of new policies procedures, and guidelines and verify existing concepts. Articles on noble research and diagnostic methodologies on AMR are highly welcome to be published under the research topic identified. In addition to that articles on countries’ and territories’ noble AMR action plans, policies procedures, and guidelines on the dispensing and use of antibiotics will be considered for publication.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial resistance, AMR, horizontal gene transfer, Antibiotic use, infectious diseases, containment of AMR

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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