The Invisible Pandemic: How Antimicrobial Resistance Creeps into Everyday Clinical Practice

Background : Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microbes to withstand the effects of antimicrobial drugs that are intended to eliminate them. Studies estimate the global disease burden caused by AMR to be approximately 4.95 million. Organisms such as Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and Carbapenem Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) are significant contributors to rising mortality rates due to the limited treatment options available. Methods: This scoping review o analyze the clinical challenges posed by AMR from an internal medicine viewpoint. Results: AMR significantly affects the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) [95% UI: 19.79–36.30] and hospital-acquired infections (95% CI 12.39–17.15%; 16,793/164,717). It also increases multisystem infections and reduces the efficacy of drugs like colistin and penicillin. Conclusion :Antimicrobial stewardship has become a crucial responsibility for every physician. The quadripartite collaboration plays a vital role in establishing policies on judicious antibiotic use. The WHO and CDC's Global AMR Action Plans say that education, diagnostic vigilance, and responsible prescribing are all important parts of fighting AMR. These strategies are in line with those plans.