IP International Journal of Medical Microbiology and Tropical Diseases 2023;9(4):206–208 Content available at: https://www.ipinnovative.com/open-access-journals IP International Journal of Medical Microbiology and Tropical Diseases Journal homepage: https://www.ijmmtd.org/ Editorial Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): From aggravation to alleviation G. K. Aseri 1 , Neelam Jain 2 * 1 Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University Rajasthan (NAAC A+), Jaipur, India 2 Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan (NAAC A+), Jaipur, India ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 10-01-2024 Accepted 24-01-2024 Available online 27-01-2024 This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. For reprints contact: reprint@ipinnovative.com As we grapple with a visible pandemic and global health crisis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) quietly emerges as a silent pandemic, threatening the very core of healthcare systems. 1 AMR poses a growing threat to global health, transforming from a source of aggravation to a pressing concern with collaborative efforts towards its alleviation. 2,3 The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have accelerated the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria challenging the effectiveness of antibiotics, rendering conventional treatments ineffective. 4 Routine surgeries, cancer treatments, and even childbirth become fraught with increased risks as antibiotics lose their effectiveness. The prospect of a post-antibiotic era looms large, where common infections could spiral into life-threatening scenarios. This shift from aggravation to a critical health challenge has spurred research, policy initiatives, and public awareness campaigns with a concerted effort to address the root causes of AMR and explore innovative combating solutions. 5 One key factor contributing to AMR is the inadequate sanitation practices and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in healthcare, agriculture, aquaculture, and animal husbandry is playing a pivotal role in accelerating the emergence of drug-resistant strains of bacteria. 6,7 Widespread prescriptions of antibiotics for even viral infections, where * Corresponding author. E-mail address: njain1@jpr.amity.edu (N. Jain). they are ineffective, incomplete antibiotic treatment, and the routine use of antibiotics in livestock for growth promotion contribute to the proliferation of resistant strains. 8 Recognizing this, global health organizations have intensified efforts to educate healthcare professionals, farmers, and the general public about responsible use of antibiotics. Alleviating AMR thus requires a shift in prescribing practices, emphasizing rational and targeted use of drugs. 9 In recent years, a multifaceted approach has emerged to tackle AMR. The global community’s collective efforts are gradually shifting the narrative from aggravation to alleviation, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations. In the realm of pharmaceuticals, research and development of new classes of antibiotics have gained momentum in combatting resistant strains, driven by the understanding that the current arsenal of drugs is increasingly becoming obsolete due to the complex microbial evolution. Novel anti-AMR vaccines, and alternative therapies (herbal, folklore medicines, phage therapy, RNA interference, nanomedicine, CRISPR- based antimicrobials, and clinical artificial intelligence strategies etc.) are also being explored to reduce reliance on traditional antibiotics. Encouraging innovation in the development of rapid diagnostic tools can aid in prescribing https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijmmtd.2023.041 2581-4753/© 2023 Author(s), Published by Innovative Publication. 206