Antimicrobial resistance: causes, consequences, diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in modern medicine

Abstract

The drug resistance of microorganisms has been a serious threat to public health for several decades. The growing problem of opportunistic infections in recent years and the wide access to antimicrobial drugs in both human and animal medicine determine and drive the complex mechanism related to the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Nevertheless, this phenomenon does not result only from certain practices related to the intensification of livestock production in recent years, which is often indicated as the main cause. Understanding the mechanisms and consequences of drug resistance requires not only the assessment of its contemporary causes, but also a retrospective look and an analysis why modern medicine, despite its extensive research capabilities and profound knowledge, continues to struggle with the problem of microbial insensitivity to most antimicrobials available today. This problem should be considered in the very broad context of the doctrine of “One Health”, which includes the dependence in the interconnected system of human–animal–environment.