Representative Image | Photo: AFP
Kannur: Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network Report revealed that antimicrobial resistance, ie. germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them, is increasing in the state. This results in the ineffectiveness of antibiotics which have powerful medication to fight the bacterial infection.
Several kinds of bacteria that cause these infections have gained resistance from 5 to 84 per cent against various antibiotics now. The germs have reportedly secured resistance against even the new generation antibiotics. The failure of antibiotics may escalate the period of treatment, expenses and even death rate.
The latest findings surfaced in a study conducted giving priority to E. coli, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The first report was prepared after collecting samples from 14,353 patients from 21 centres in 9 districts.
Unscientific usage causes trouble
Kerala has established a system to surveil antibiotics resistance for the first time in India. The state has formed an antimicrobial resistance committee in each district and published an antibiogram report.
Kerala aims to inculcate a full fledged antibiotic literacy in the state by 2023. However, reducing the incidents of unscientific utilisation of antibiotics remains a challenge.