Antimicrobial Resistance in the 21st Century: Understanding and Combating the Rising Threat addresses one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, antibiotic resistance. This book explores the science, history, and global impact of this crisis, providing readers with the knowledge they need to understand the problem and take necessary action. It meticulously unpacks the genetic, biochemical, and evolutionary mechanisms behind antibiotic resistance, while examining how human behaviors—from healthcare practices to agricultural methods—fuel its spread. It highlights the critical roles of environmental factors, misuse of antibiotics, and gaps in diagnosis and stewardship that exacerbate resistance across both clinical and community settings. It also examines innovative solutions, including next-generation antibiotics, alternative therapies, vaccines, and advances in infection control, alongside the global policy strategies necessary to combat this threat. By addressing the scientific, medical, economic, and sociocultural dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, this book provides a roadmap for coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts to preserve antibiotic efficacy and safeguard public health for future generations. It is written by global experts for researchers and scientists in microbiology, infectious diseases, public health, and pharmacology. It is also of interest to healthcare professionals such as clinicians, pharmacists, and nurses, as well as policymakers, public health officials, students, and industry professionals.
1. Introduction - p. xxvii 2. Chapter 1. Introduction to antibiotic resistance: mechanisms, challenges, and solutions - p. 1 3. Chapter 2. The science of resistance: genetic and biochemical mechanisms in antibiotic evasion - p. 21 4. Chapter 3. Survival of the fittest: the adaptive evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria - p. 39 5. Chapter 4. Fuelling the resistance: the impact of antibiotic misuse and overuse - p. 69 6. Chapter 5. Hidden hotspots: environmental drivers of antibiotic resistance - p. 89 7. Chapter 6. Hospital battleground: addressing antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings - p. 111 8. Chapter 7. The rise of antibiotic resistance: Impacts and Solutions in community health - p. 121 9. Chapter 8. Tackling antibiotic resistance: challenges in everyday environments - p. 141 10. Chapter 9. Navigating the complexities of antibiotic resistance diagnosis - p. 157 11. Chapter 10. Next-gen antibiotics: breakthroughs in discovery and development - p. 171 12. Chapter 11. Beyond antibiotics: exploring new therapies for resistance challenges - p. 187 13. Chapter 12. Guarding health: the role of vaccines and preventative measures - p. 201 14. Chapter 13. Preserving efficacy: a comprehensive approach to antimicrobial stewardship - p. 223 15. Chapter 14. Global strategies for antibiotic governance: navigating policy challenges - p. 247 16. Chapter 15. Navigating antibiotic resistance challenges in low- and middle-income countries - p. 275 17. Chapter 16. The antibiotic dilemma: how the pharmaceutical industry shapes our future - p. 291 18. Chapter 17. Farming under fire: the role of agricultural practices in antibiotic resistance development - p. 303 19. Chapter 18. Cultural contexts and behavioural patterns: impacts on antibiotic utilisation - p. 319 20. Chapter 19. Revolutionising safety: advances in infection control and hygiene practices - p. 331 21. Chapter 20. The ripple effect: understanding the economic and social consequences of antibiotic resistance - p. 345 22. Chapter 21. Target-centric drug repurposing: a next-generation approach to confront antimicrobial resistance - p. 363 23. Summary: a concluding overview - p. 381 24. Index - p. 385
Antimicrobial Resistance in the 21st Century: Understanding and Combating the Rising Threat addresses one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, antibiotic resistance. This book explores the science, history, and global impact of this crisis, providing readers with the knowledge they need to understand the problem and take necessary action. It meticulously unpacks the genetic, biochemical, and evolutionary mechanisms behind antibiotic resistance, while examining how human behaviors—from healthcare practices to agricultural methods—fuel its spread. It highlights the critical roles of environmental factors, misuse of antibiotics, and gaps in diagnosis and stewardship that exacerbate resistance across both clinical and community settings. It also examines innovative solutions, including next-generation antibiotics, alternative therapies, vaccines, and advances in infection control, alongside the global policy strategies necessary to combat this threat. By addressing the scientific, medical, economic, and sociocultural dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, this book provides a roadmap for coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts to preserve antibiotic efficacy and safeguard public health for future generations. It is written by global experts for researchers and scientists in microbiology, infectious diseases, public health, and pharmacology. It is also of interest to healthcare professionals such as clinicians, pharmacists, and nurses, as well as policymakers, public health officials, students, and industry professionals.
1. Introduction - p. xxvii 2. Chapter 1. Introduction to antibiotic resistance: mechanisms, challenges, and solutions - p. 1 3. Chapter 2. The science of resistance: genetic and biochemical mechanisms in antibiotic evasion - p. 21 4. Chapter 3. Survival of the fittest: the adaptive evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria - p. 39 5. Chapter 4. Fuelling the resistance: the impact of antibiotic misuse and overuse - p. 69 6. Chapter 5. Hidden hotspots: environmental drivers of antibiotic resistance - p. 89 7. Chapter 6. Hospital battleground: addressing antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings - p. 111 8. Chapter 7. The rise of antibiotic resistance: Impacts and Solutions in community health - p. 121 9. Chapter 8. Tackling antibiotic resistance: challenges in everyday environments - p. 141 10. Chapter 9. Navigating the complexities of antibiotic resistance diagnosis - p. 157 11. Chapter 10. Next-gen antibiotics: breakthroughs in discovery and development - p. 171 12. Chapter 11. Beyond antibiotics: exploring new therapies for resistance challenges - p. 187 13. Chapter 12. Guarding health: the role of vaccines and preventative measures - p. 201 14. Chapter 13. Preserving efficacy: a comprehensive approach to antimicrobial stewardship - p. 223 15. Chapter 14. Global strategies for antibiotic governance: navigating policy challenges - p. 247 16. Chapter 15. Navigating antibiotic resistance challenges in low- and middle-income countries - p. 275 17. Chapter 16. The antibiotic dilemma: how the pharmaceutical industry shapes our future - p. 291 18. Chapter 17. Farming under fire: the role of agricultural practices in antibiotic resistance development - p. 303 19. Chapter 18. Cultural contexts and behavioural patterns: impacts on antibiotic utilisation - p. 319 20. Chapter 19. Revolutionising safety: advances in infection control and hygiene practices - p. 331 21. Chapter 20. The ripple effect: understanding the economic and social consequences of antibiotic resistance - p. 345 22. Chapter 21. Target-centric drug repurposing: a next-generation approach to confront antimicrobial resistance - p. 363 23. Summary: a concluding overview - p. 381 24. Index - p. 385
