Overview
The epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance is a critical area of study that examines how and why certain bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. This resistance poses significant challenges to public health, leading to increased healthcare costs, prolonged illness, and higher mortality rates. ...
Key Terms
Example: Antibiotics are a type of antimicrobial used to treat bacterial infections.
Example: Some bacteria produce enzymes that break down antibiotics.
Example: Bacteria can acquire resistance genes from other bacteria through plasmids.
Example: Biofilms can form on medical devices, making infections harder to treat.
Example: High morbidity rates are associated with infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Example: Antibiotic stewardship programs aim to optimize antibiotic use.