Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria: Causes and Control Strategies

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a critical global health concern, posing significant challenges to the treatment and control of bacterial infections. It occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms that enable them to survive exposure to antibiotics that were once effective. This study examines the major causes of antibiotic resistance and explores strategies for its control and prevention. The development of antibiotic resistance is primarily driven by factors such as the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human medicine, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Incomplete treatment courses, self-medication, and the use of antibiotics for non-bacterial infections further accelerate resistance. At the molecular level, bacteria acquire resistance through genetic mutations and horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, including transformation, transduction, and conjugation. The impact of antibiotic resistance on public health, including increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Resistant infections are more difficult to treat, often requiring alternative or more potent drugs with greater side effects.