ESCALATING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: A SILENT PUBLIC HEALTH CATASTROPHE

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical public health threat in Pakistan, severely undermining the effective treatment of infectious diseases. Increasing resistance has been documented among common gram-negative pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, particularly in urinary tract and bloodstream infections. Declining susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, followed by resistance to carbapenems and even colistin, has significantly narrowed therapeutic options. The emergence of extensively drug-resistant Salmonella Typhi further highlights the gravity of the crisis and its potential global implications. Irrational antibiotic use, over-the-counter availability, limited antimicrobial stewardship, and inadequate surveillance remain key drivers of resistance. Strengthening stewardship programs, enforcing prescription regulations, and integrating laboratory surveillance into public health policy are urgently required to curb the escalating AMR burden.
KEYWORDS
Antimicrobial Resistance, Drug Resistance, Bacterial, Antibiotic Stewardship, Colistin Resistance, Carbapenem Resistance, Salmonella Typhi