Infectious pathogens, pathogenesis, antimicrobial therapy, antimicrobial resistance, and surveillance measures

Antimicrobials are drugs produced by microbes or natural substances such as antibodies, or those produced through synthetic route, that cause the inhibition of microbial growth or kill the microbes at a lower concentration. A significant public health problem that healthcare providers face from dawn to dusk is antibiotic resistance. The mechanisms of antibacterial include inhibition of cell wall synthesis or leakage of cell membranes, inhibition of protein synthesis, or interference with DNA function or intermediary metabolism, and causing misreading of mRNA to affect the permeability. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a worldwide public health challenge. A sound understanding of the pathogens, modes of transmission, pathogenic picture, clinical manifestations, and the emergence of resistance are necessary for the formulation of strategies to address it. The nature of different microbes such as bacteria, fungus, protozoa, and viruses are described with a note on the resistant mechanisms. To address the AMR, several surveillance measures and awareness programs are launched in India. Even though it is a difficult task to reach the broader population, technological advancements in diagnosis, practical implementation, and monitoring the treatment outcomes have reached greater heights in the mitigation of AMR.