The aftermath of corona virus disease on antimicrobial resistance across low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical challenge to modern medicine. The number of resistance cases worldwide has been increasing exponentially, and it is estimated that by 2050, the AMR mortality rate will be ten times higher than it is today. The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic compromised the research on AMR by deprioritizing proper monitoring of preventive measures and control programs, innovation and global health programs, and use antimicrobial stewardship (AS). With the current scenario of sporadic COVID-19 cases around the world, it is impossible to accurately evaluate the impact that the pandemic had on AMR and AS due to insufficient reports. However, it’s possible to speculate what the scenario will look like by surveying the escalation in unmethodical antimicrobial, the increase in secondary bacterial and fungal infections, and the extension in hospital stay and adverse medical exigency during the second wave when compared to the first wave. COVID-19 exposed the harsh reality that even countries with the best medical facilities struggled to meet national healthcare needs during a pandemic. In such circumstances, the clinical and scientific communities need to understand that available global medical amenities wouldbe insufficient to face an upcoming AMR pandemic. Therefore, international surveillance systems need to highlight the deficiencies in AMR containment and mitigation and develop strategies to address future challenges.