Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR or AR) is the capability of a microbe (such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that once could effectively treat the microbe. Microbes resistant to multiple antimicrobials are called multidrug resistant (MDR). Those considered extensively drug resistant (XDR) or totally drug-resistant (TDR) are also referred as "superbugs".

Antimicrobial resistance occurs naturally over time in certain types of bacteria, or by way of genetic mutation, or by one species acquiring resistance from another. However, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials is unfortunately driving the emergence of AMR. Antibiotics being blatantly overused and misused in people and animals, and often given without professional oversight is not only prevalent in developing countries with poor and at times non-existent infrastructure and failing healthcare systems, but is a common sight in developed countries as well. More and more people with viral infections like colds and flu are taking antibiotics; they are being given as growth promoters in animals or used to prevent diseases in healthy animals. In summary, poor infection control, inadequate sanitary conditions and inappropriate food-handling further contributes to antimicrobial resistance.

Undoubtedly AMR is an increasingly serious threat to overall public health and one that transcends across all sections of society and varied geographical locations. New resistance mechanisms are emerging and spreading globally, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases, resulting in prolonged illness, disability, and death. This has implications on the cost of healthcare for patients with resistant infections is much higher than care for patients with non-resistant infections due to their prolonged illness which in turn lengthens their hospital stays; requires them to take additional tests and use more expensive drugs. Successful surgeries and cancer chemotherapies could be well compromised without effective antibiotics for the aftercare of these procedures.

In this fight to curb the antimicrobial resistance menace, clinician researchers from various SingHealth institutions specialising in different research areas within the field of AMR have been actively trying to develop novel interventions to prevent this epidemic and refine the diagnosis and prognosis of related diseases.

Click here to view our list of clinician researchers from various SingHealth institutions that specialise in different research areas within the field of AMR.