Epidemiological coverage and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance: a globalized view

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing challenge in modern health care and is referred to as “silent pandemic,” having a significant global health challenge, with profound mechanisms including enzymatic degradation, target modification, drug hydrolysis, and permeability modulation. With a view to understanding the extent of AMR across the globe, the inculcation of a surveillance system is mandatory. Though various developed and developing countries have started Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines for AMS, Microbiology Investigation Criteria for Reporting Objectively (MICRO), along with exploring Genomic epidemiology, allowing for real-time tracking of resistant pathogens, and making the public aware about plausible health interventions. Critical priority pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibit intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms, often mediated by mobile genetic elements. However, inflation in AMR has a prompt impact on socioeconomic development, which ultimately affects health care costs and global health security. Proper addressing and elimination of AMR is accomplished by two consecutive methodologies, such as proper diagnosis using diagnostic agents and profound treatment using nanoarchitectures conjugated with green material and another bioactive small molecule. Herein, this chapter specifically focuses on the various surveillance systems such as the WHO GLASS, Infectious Disease Surveillance of Pediatrics (ISPED) program, and European Antimicrobial Surveillance Network (EARS-NET), established worldwide by Asian, Asia Pacific, European and American countries. Followed by understanding the diverse pathways of AMR eruption, which usually give rise to AMR cases across the globe. Additionally, the chapter also emphasizes on the overview of recent treatment strategies using nanomaterials (polymeric-based, lipid-based, carbon dots, nanozymes, and metal nanoparticles) for curtailing AMR.