14 - Antimicrobial polymeric gels

Abstract

One of the most dangerous situations the world is presently facing is the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AR). AR is defined as the inability of an antimicrobial therapeutic agent to show efficacy against the target microbes. Due to AR, say, a particular antibacterial or antiviral agent becomes ineffective against the target bacteria or virus. Such a condition poses a threat because of emergence of faster and more dangerous infectious situations. This antibiotic resistance crisis has several causes such as overuse and misuse of antibiotics in patients, uncontrolled use of antimicrobials in livestock, and dumping of waste or unused antimicrobials in public waste area. Another important scientific cause of AR is lack of interest from pharmaceutical companies in research toward new effective antimicrobials. As per a recent report, 15 of 18 biggest pharmaceutical companies globally have halted their research and development of new antimicrobials. The AR is not only a scientific but also an economic problem too. Developing and low-income countries are quickly becoming victim to AR and a large section of population in these countries cannot afford stronger and expensive antibiotics. The resistant microorganisms can spread among human and animals in a two-way vertical also. Such spread resulted in longer hospital stay, more financial stress, and greater rate of mortality. Pharmaceutical companies withdraw from antimicrobial development due to low-profit case because the patient would stop using the drug once the infection has been cured. Instead, most companies are now focusing on development of drugs for chronic diseases. Thus, there is an urgent need to both to focus on research for new antimicrobials and on alternative microbial control module.