Antimicrobial resistance is a growing trend that's affecting the way we both monitor and treat an increasing number of microbial infections. Over several decades, the persistent rise of these antimicrobial resistant microorganisms has spurred both the private and public sectors into finding possible methods to halt the continued spread of these resistant microbes [4]. Currently several drug resistant strains of common pathogens like Staph, Strep and E.coli continue to emerge [3,4]. Previously, as more and more of these drug resistant microbes emerged, a handful of potent antimicrobials called “antibiotics of last resort proved effective in containing the spread of these drug resistant pathogens [2].
However, recently a strain of E.coli was found in a woman in Pennsylvania that’s resistant to colistin, the last agent used to combat microbes that are resistant to the strongest antibiotics [2]. The discovery of this particular resistant strain of E.coli points to an increased rate of lateral gene transfer, which is the main mechanism that theses microbes gain resistance to antimicrobial compounds [3,4]. Its also been shown that random mutations contribute to the emergence of these antimicrobial resistant strains of bacteria, parasites and viruses albeit at a lower rate [3].
Though the prevalence of these drug resistant microbes remains comparatively low, decades of data show that these low levels of drug resistant microbes are liable to significantly increase moving forward [1,4]. As such, many companies and institutions in both the public and private spheres have adopted many of the preventative measures outlined by agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]. In these reports, it’s highly advised that companies and institutions, especially those in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, have frequent and protesting protocols in place to catch any prospective antimicrobial resistant microorganisms in their infancy before they pose a greater public health risk [1,2,4].
Further outlined within these preventative measures is the increased utilization of certified testing laboratories like Sure-BioChem Laboratories to aide in the frequent testing of these companies and institutions [1]. As an industry leader Sure-BioChem Laboratories specializes in providing the highest quality microbial testing and monitoring services year-round. Our experienced team is trained in sterility and antimicrobial efficacy testing services based on industry standards. With our commitment to quick and reliable results your company be assured of your production standards.
For additional information regarding our microbiological testing services, contact Sure-BioChem Laboratories at 888-398-7247.
References:
1."Antimicrobial Resistance." World Health Organization. N.p., Apr. 2015. Web. 08 June 2016.
2.The U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP). "First discovery in United States of colistin resistance in a human E. coli infection." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 May 2016. < www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160526152033.htm>.
3.Kay E, Vogel TM, Bertolla F, Nalin R, Simonet P (July 2002). "In situ transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from transgenic (transplastomic) tobacco plants to bacteria".
4.Barlow M (2009). "What antimicrobial resistance has taught us about horizontal gene transfer". Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.). Methods in Molecular Biology 532: 397–411
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