Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) no longer respond to antimicrobial medicine, making infections difficult or in some cases impossible to treat. The World Health Organization has identified it as one of the top 10 threats to global health, with 1.27 million people dying from drug-resistant related infections in 2019 [1, 2]. Here are some activities to enjoy with your coffee to refresh you on the key aspects of this serious topic.  

True or false? 

Antibiotic resistance can be naturally present in bacteria without any human intervention. However, inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents significantly accelerates this resistance.  True or False? 

Antibiotic resistance is a problem only for people who are frequently sick or have weak immune systems. True or False? 

Vaccination can help reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance by preventing infections that might otherwise require antibiotic treatment. True or False? 

New antibiotics are being developed at a fast enough rate to keep up with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. True or False?  

Crossword - The Resistance Puzzle:  Can you crack the code? 

Click on here to complete the crossword online:

Fill-in-the-Blank – Let’s fight this together.

Infection __________ Control measures are key in fighting antimicrobial resistance. This includes regular ___________  with soap and running water.  

Always take antibiotics exactly as __________ by your healthcare provider. You should not use leftover antibiotics or antibiotics prescribed for ________ else. Do not ask for antibiotics when dealing with a _____ infection, like a cold or the flu, as they an ineffective for these micro-organisms.  

Environmentally safe waste ________ from hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as water treatment practices must be adhered to as poor practices creates hotspots for resistance development.  

In agriculture, antibiotics should be reserved for treating ____ animals only, not for growth promotion or disease prevention.  

On the lighter side: 

Have you heard about the rising political tensions between yoghurt and penicillin? One side is probiotic, the other is antibiotic. They’re calling it a culture war.

References

[1] World Health Organization. Ten threats to global health in 2019. Newsroom – Spotlight. https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019. Accessed 22 Jun 2024

[2] World Health Organization. Antimicrobial resistance. Newsroom – Fact sheets. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance. Accessed 22 Jun 2024  

Answers

True or False: True, False, True, False

Crossword: 1. Pathogen 2. CRISPR 3. Cytotoxic 4. Gram 5. Petri 6. Carbapenem 7. Mutation 8. Vaccine 9. AWaRe 10. Efflux 11. Biofilm 12. Nosocomial 13. Penicillin 

Fill in the blank: Prevention, handwashing, prescribed, someone, viral, disposal, sick 

Antibiotics will never go viral, But maybe this post will! Share this blog post with friends and family to keep the conversation going.