With over 99% of the people totally unaware of the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), there is a strong need to understand the impact of this health issue. Earlier this year, the departing UK Chief Medical Officer stated, “Superbugs might kill us before climate change does.” At present, the number of deaths per year owing to superbugs is 700,000 and by 2050, this number might reach 10 Million. However, the latest study from Pfizer UK highlighted that AMR is considered as a severe threat to society by only 11% of the British population. It is ranked at the 4th position after various key issues such as joblessness (23%), religious clashes (27%), and climate change (50%).
Pfizer UK’s Hospital Business Unit Lead Susan Rienow stated, “The Pfizer UK survey, who initiated this World Antibiotics Awareness Week, shows that more attention should be offered to increase awareness of the risks superbugs pose to society. AMR is a complex issue with no strong solution; however, a major cultural change is required in the use of antibiotics. We will have to work together and find solutions to make sure that upcoming generations continue to get the advantage of these life-saving medications.” While the body’s resistance to antibiotics is a natural process, their misuse in animals and humans is speeding up this process.
On a similar note, recently the scientists from Cornell University stated that they have discovered the structure of a regulatory system unique to bacteria. Reportedly, this research will allow the use of advanced techniques to design new antibiotics and target diverse pathogens. The study is accessible in the journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology. With the growing antibiotic-resistant germs’ threat, the latest discovery presents a new way to target the bacteria responsible for the disease. In this study, the scientists employed X-ray crystallography and uncovered the structure of so-called “T-box” factors in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
