Genes fuel antibiotic resistance in Yemen cholera epidemic

Genes fuel antibiotic resistance in Yemen cholera epidemic

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Health

More about the news:

• A study in Nature Microbiology reveals that antibiotic-resistant genes emerged in Vibrio cholerae strains during Yemen’s cholera epidemic in 2018.
• A new plasmid introduced multiple antibiotic resistance genes, including macrolides, widely spreading by 2019.
•  Clinical macrolide use and genetic exchange likely contributed to multidrug resistance, highlighting the need for ongoing genomic surveillance in the Yemen cholera outbreak.

What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is an ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication previously used to treat them. It is also known as antibiotic resistance.
• The WHO defines antimicrobial resistance as a microorganism’s resistance to an antimicrobial drug that was once able to treat an infection by that microorganism.
• The resistance to antimicrobials is a natural biological phenomenon.

What are some global efforts against AMR:

• Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP): Globally, countries committed to the framework set out in the Global Action Plan1 (GAP) 2015 on AMR during the 2015 World Health Assembly and committed to the development and implementation of multisectoral national action plans.
• Tripartite Joint Secretariat on Antimicrobial Resistance: Tripartite joint secretariat i.eFAO, OIE and WHO has been established and is hosted by WHO to drive multi-stakeholder engagement in AMR. 
• Interagency Coordination Group (IACG) on AMR: It was convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations after the UN High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in 2016. The IACG brought together partners across the UN, international organizations and individuals with expertise across human, animal and plant health, as well as the food, animal feed, trade to formulate a plan for the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
• World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW): WAAW was previously called the World Antibiotic Awareness Week. From 2020, it will be called the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. It is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance worldwide.
• Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS): WHO launched it  in 2015 to continue filling knowledge gaps and to inform strategies at all levels. GLASS has been conceived to progressively incorporate data from surveillance of AMR in humans, surveillance of the use of antimicrobial medicines, AMR in the food chain and the environment.
• Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP): A joint initiative of WHO and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), GARDP encourages research and development through public-private partnerships. By 2025, the partnership aims to develop and deliver five new treatments that target drug-resistant bacteria identified by WHO as posing the greatest threat.