Latest news with #AMR-related
United News of India
5 days ago
- Health
- United News of India
Study reveals unequal gender impact of ‘Superbugs' across the globe
New Delhi, June 17 (UNI) As the world grapples with the growing health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a first-of-its kind study has revealed that even Superbugs don't affect everyone equally-- antimicrobial resistance shows gender disparities too. AMR occurs when microorganisms (Superbugs) like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to become less susceptible or completely resistant to antimicrobial medicines, including antibiotics, anti-virals, anti-fungals, and anti-parasitics. Led by Professor Leo Lahti at the University of Turku, the study analysed the DNA of over 14,000 gut metagenomes from 32 countries and it found that women in high-income countries carry, on average, 9% more antibiotic resistance genes than men, suggesting they may be more frequently exposed to antibiotics or resistant bacteria. In contrast, men in low- and middle-income nations showed higher resistance gene loads, though these differences were not statistically significant when factors like age and living conditions were accounted for. The study titled 'Gender Differences in Global Antimicrobial Resistance', published in the latest issue of npj Biofilms and Microbiomes also found that women in wealthier nations had a broader diversity of resistance genes, possibly due to differences in gut microbiota, and that age and country of residence were major factors in resistance levels. The highest resistance was noted in infants and the elderly, while poor sanitation and high antibiotic use in low-income countries also contributed to higher resistance levels. These findings highlight the intricate interaction of gender, socio-economic status, geography, and age in the spread of antibiotic resistance. With AMR already responsible for over 1.3 million deaths annually, researchers argue that understanding these gender differences is crucial for developing equitable and effective healthcare strategies to combat this escalating threat. The study observation is especially critical for India, as it bears the world's highest burden of antibiotic-resistant TB. In 2019 alone, nearly 300,000 people in the country died from AMR-related infections, as per various reports. "By recognising these disparities, we can tailor interventions that address the specific needs of different populations and help reduce health inequalities related to antibiotic resistance," said Katariina Parnanen, one of the study's lead researchers. As per various reports, AMR is predicted to contribute to 39 million deaths by 2050. UNI AJ SSP
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Coordinated action vital to combat antimicrobial resistance: Minister
Bengaluru: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is emerging as a silent pandemic globally, prompting urgent calls for a coordinated response, Karnataka's Minister for Science and Technology, N. S. Boseraju, said on Tuesday. Speaking at the inauguration of a three-day national conference titled 'Antimicrobial Resistance: Mitigation Strategies and Alternatives', organised by the Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA), Boseraju highlighted the World Health Organisation's concerns over the growing threat of AMR and stressed the importance of collective scientific and policy-driven efforts. 'In India, the India AMR Innovation Hub is leading the charge by encouraging researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to develop context-specific solutions through collaboration,' the minister said. 'Both the central and state governments have taken significant steps to tackle AMR through awareness campaigns, monitoring of antibiotic usage, regulating drug sales, and promoting appropriate use in both humans and animals.' He added that Karnataka remains at the forefront of AMR-related research, with several leading institutions in Bengaluru developing novel strategies to counter antimicrobial resistance. 'Fighting AMR is not only a scientific challenge but also a moral responsibility,' Boseraju remarked. 'It is through shared knowledge and determined effort that we can safeguard public health, ensure food security, and promote sustainable development.' The conference brought together prominent experts, including Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); Dr. Karuna Saghar, former senior official at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and Advisor to Nitte University; Dr. C. N. Ravishankar, former Vice Chancellor of the Central Institute of Fisheries Education; and Prof. Indrani Karuna Saghar, Director at Nitte University. KSTA CEO Dr. A. M. Ramesh and senior scientist Dr. R. Anand also participated. A tribute was paid to the late Padma Shri awardee and renowned scientist Prof. Subbanna Ayyappan during the event.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Coordinated Action Vital to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance: Karnataka Minister N. S. Boseraju
Bengaluru: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is emerging as a silent pandemic globally, prompting urgent calls for a coordinated response, Karnataka's Minister for Science and Technology, N. S. Boseraju, said on Tuesday. Speaking at the inauguration of a three-day national conference titled "Antimicrobial Resistance: Mitigation Strategies and Alternatives", organised by the Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA), Boseraju highlighted the World Health Organization's concerns over the growing threat of AMR and stressed the importance of collective scientific and policy-driven efforts. 'In India, the India AMR Innovation Hub is leading the charge by encouraging researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to develop context-specific solutions through collaboration,' the minister said. 'Both the central and state governments have taken significant steps to tackle AMR through awareness campaigns, monitoring of antibiotic usage, regulating drug sales, and promoting appropriate use in both humans and animals.' He added that Karnataka remains at the forefront of AMR-related research, with several leading institutions in Bengaluru developing novel strategies to counter antimicrobial resistance. 'Fighting AMR is not only a scientific challenge but also a moral responsibility,' Boseraju remarked. 'It is through shared knowledge and determined effort that we can safeguard public health, ensure food security, and promote sustainable development.' The conference brought together prominent experts including Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); Dr. Karuna Saghar, former senior official at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and Advisor to Nitte University; Dr. C. N. Ravishankar, former Vice Chancellor of the Central Institute of Fisheries Education; and Prof. Indrani Karuna Saghar, Director at Nitte University. KSTA CEO Dr. A. M. Ramesh and senior scientist Dr. R. Anand also participated. A tribute was paid to the late Padma Shri awardee and renowned scientist Prof. Subbanna Ayyappan during the event.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New report calls for collective action to fight ‘silent pandemic' of Asia's growing antimicrobial resistance
In Asia Pacific, related costs are projected to reach up to US$700 billion by 2050. However, timely investment could generate between US$10 billion and US$15 billion in annual healthcare savings. A new report by Temasek Trust initiatives calls for more funding to tackle antimicrobial resistance in Asia (AMR), which could become the leading cause of death by 2050. The report, released May 5, outlines four key areas where funders can drive meaningful impact - from education and prevention to surveillance and treatment. "Antimicrobial resistance is on track to become the deadliest health threat facing humanity. But with urgent action and targeted finance, over 100 million deaths could be prevented by 2050," reads the report by the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) and the World Economic Forum's GAEA (Giving to Amplify Earth Action) initiative, supported by the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA). Rising temperatures and extreme weather events are accelerating bacterial growth and disease transmission, while disrupting healthcare and immunisation services, say the report's authors. Climate-related pressures are also driving the increased use of antimicrobials in livestock and crops, contaminating freshwater sources and fuelling drug resistance, they add. In Asia Pacific, AMR-related costs are projected to reach up to US$700 billion by 2050, accounting for up to 1% of the region's GDP. However, timely investment in AMR solutions could generate between US$10 billion and US$15 billion in annual healthcare savings, and cut the region's annual socioeconomic costs by up to US$40 billion within the next decade, claim the authors. The 52-page report, titled "Targeted Action and Financing the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance in Asia", draws on insights from 15 case studies and examples of funding mechanisms, along with contributions from 26 organisations. New therapeutics, such as drugs and vaccines, can take 10 to 15 years to develop and launch to market. Hence, the authors call for immediate and practical interventions to curb resistance today and pave the way for long-term solutions. The report proposes interventions in four areas: Educate: Improving knowledge and behaviour by strengthening awareness of AMR among clinicians, patients and farmers; emphasising the importance of avoiding the overuse or abuse of antimicrobials; as well as introducing strategies to prevent infections in the first place. Prevent: Strengthening health systems and services by boosting preventive measures such as improving diagnostic capabilities and investing in better water, sanitation and hygiene measures. Monitor: Enhancing regional surveillance, and data collection and sharing between actors, especially in lower-income countries. Treat: Investing in research and development for new antimicrobials, and increasing access to novel and essential medicines. Private funders, impact investors and philanthropists have a vital role to play in closing critical gaps, say the authors, particularly in late-stage drug development, where funding is scarce. By pooling resources, funders can help bring life-saving treatments to market, strengthen the antibiotic pipeline, and build more sustainable and widespread access to essential medicines. PAA CEO Shaun Seow says the report is a catalyst for deeper involvement from all sectors - philanthropic, public and private. "It highlights the scale of the AMR threat and the opportunity for collective action. We are encouraged by the ongoing work of organisations - including PAA members like the Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust and Novo Nordisk Foundation - in driving AMR research and greater access to affordable solutions. Now is the time for more partners to come together, pool resources and support high-impact solutions that safeguard health and resilience across Asia and beyond." Infographic: CIIP, GAEA, PAA See Also: Click here to stay updated with the Latest Business & Investment News in Singapore 'Green revolution' needed to solve issues like food systems and nutrition, says President Tharman Trump administration will 'come around' on importance of partnerships: Bill Gates WEF, GenZero launch Green Fuel Forward initiative to scale sustainable aviation fuel demand in APAC Read more stories about where the money flows, and analysis of the biggest market stories from Singapore and around the World Get in-depth insights from our expert contributors, and dive into financial and economic trends Follow the market issue situation with our daily updates Or want more Lifestyle and Passion stories? Click here
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Three million children die globally sake of antibiotics resistance
More dan three million children around di world dey believed to don die for 2022 as a result of infections wey dey resistant to antibiotics. Dis na according to a study by two leading experts for child health. Dem find out say na children for Africa and South East Asia dey at risk pass. Antimicrobial resistance - known as AMR - dey develop wen di microbes wey dey cause infections evolve in such a way wey antibiotic drugs no dey work. E dey identified as one of di biggest public health threats wey dey face di world population. One new study now reveal di toll wey AMR dey take on children. Using data from multiple sources wey include di World Health Organization (WHO) and di World Bank, di report authors don calculate say e get more dan three million child deaths for 2022 wey dey linked to drug-resistant infections. Sabi pipo say dis new study highlights more dan tenfold increase for AMR-related infections in children for just three years. Di number fit even dey worse by di impact of di Covid pandemic. Increased use of antibiotics Dem dey use antibiotics to treat or prevent different types of bacterial infections - evritin from skin infections to pneumonia. Dem dey also sometimes give as precaution to prevent, rather dan treat an infection - for example if pesin get operation or dey receive chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Antibiotics no get impact on viral infections, though - illnesses such as di common cold, flu or Covid. But some bacteria don evolve as resistance to some drugs, due to dia overuse and inappropriate use, while di production of new antibiotics - a lengthy and costly process - don slow down. Di report lead authors, Doctor Yanhong Jessika Hu of Murdoch Children Research Institute for Australia and Professor Herb Harwell of di Clinton Health Access Initiative, point to a significant growth for di use of antibiotics wey suppose dey for only di most serious infections. Between 2019 and 2021 di use of "watch antibiotics", drugs wit a high risk of resistance, increase by 160% for South East Asia and 126% for Africa. Ova di same period, "reserve antibiotics", di last-resort treatments for severe, multidrug-resistant infections rise by 45% for South East Asia and 125% for Africa. Why options dey drop Di authors warn say if bacteria develop resistance to dis antibiotics, e go get few alternatives for treating multidrug-resistant infections, if any one go dey. Prof Harwell dey present di findings at di Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases for Vienna later dis month. "AMR na global problem. E dey affect evri one. We do dis work really to focus on di disproportionate way wey AMR dey affect children," e tok ahead of di event. "We estimate three million deaths of children worldwide associated wit antimicrobial resistance." Solution dey for AMR? WHO describe AMR as one of di most serious global health threats, we face, but Prof Harwell from Vienna warn say e no get any easy answers. "Na multi-faceted problem wey dey extend into all aspects of medicine and really, human life," e tok. "Antibiotics dey evriwia around us, dem end up for our food and di environment and to come up wit a single solution no dey easy." Di best way to avoid resistant infection na to avoid infection altogeda, wey mean higher levels of immunisation, water sanitation and hygiene dey needed, e add. "More antibiotics no go dey to use becos e get more pipo wey need dem, but we gatz make sure say e dey used appropriately and di correct medicines dey used." Dr Lindsey Edwards, wey be senior lecturer for microbiology for Kings College London, say di new study "mark a significant and alarming increase compared to previous data". "Dis findings suppose serve as a wake-up call for global health leaders. Witout decisive action, AMR fit undermine decades of progress for child health, particularly for di world most vulnerable regions."
