Excessive Hand Sanitizers' Usage may Boost Antimicrobial Resistance

Excessive use of hand sanitizers and antimicrobial soaps during COVID-19 can lead to more antimicrobial resistance, said health experts of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Various aspects of antimicrobial resistance were discussed in a two-day international webinar on antibiotic resistance jointly organised by All India Institute of Medical Sciences and American Society for Microbiology.

Hand Sanitizers - Interesting Facts You Must Know
Hand sanitizers work by disrupting the outer coat of microbes. Improper use of hand sanitizers could give rise to antimicrobial-resistant superbugs.

‘Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of a pathogenic microbe to develop a resistance to the effects of an antimicrobial medication. It has been estimated that by 2050, about 10 million human lives could be at risk every year if drug resistance is not managed.’

The webinar was organised by Dr Rama Chaudhry, Professor and Head of AIIMS's Department of Microbiology, International Ambassador of American Society for Microbiology to India and her team Dr Bimal Kumar Das, Dr Sarita Mohapatra, Dr Gagandeep Singh, Dr Hitender Gautam and Dr Nishant Verma.

In the webinar, the health experts talked about how the Covid-19 pandemic has jolted the entire world and significantly impacted the focus of health facilities towards antimicrobial resistance.

"It has been estimated that as we reach the year 2050, about 10 million human lives could be at risk every year if we do not manage the increasing drug resistance. The widespread use of hand sanitisers and antimicrobial soaps which has especially increased multifold during the Covid-19 pandemic can worsen the situation," the experts said.

Drug Resistance – Antibiotic or Antimicrobial Resistance
Drug resistance is often a problem in malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and hospital acquired diseases. Judicious use of antibiotics can control the problem.

They went on to say that antibiotic-resistant organisms have become rigidly established in our environment with many infections failing to respond to currently available antimicrobials. The antimicrobial resistance has outpaced the development of newer antimicrobials.

The health experts added that there is an urgent need to explore the alternative therapies. "The importance of these non-conventional and alternative therapeutic approaches like bacteriophages, endolysins, nanoparticles, probiotics and antimicrobial peptides are needed."

Poor Home Hygiene Linked to Antimicrobial Resistance
According to the Global Health Council (GHC) following a risk-based approach to home and community hygiene can reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest challenges of modern medicine. It mounts problems beyond the geographical as well as species barriers and can transmit from animals to humans.

The webinar was inaugurated by the Guest of Honour and AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria, and Chief Guest Dr Sujeet Kumar Singh, Director of National Centre for Disease Control. It also covered a vast range of topics from esteemed speakers from Centre for Disease Control, World Health Organisation, Indian Council of Medical Research, PGIMER Chandigarh, and IIT Roorkee.

Childhood Vaccinations may Help Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance
Childhood vaccination may be a powerful tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries, revealed a new research.

Various aspects of antimicrobial resistance were discussed including surveillance, one health approach, role of whole genome sequencing, including alternative therapies. Both the days concluded with very interesting and informative panel discussions moderated by Dr Pallab Ray from PGIMER, Chandigarh and Dr Rama Chaudhry from AIIMS.

Source-IANS