Increases in Antibiotic Resistance May Be Related to Air Pollution, According to New Study

Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health threat, leading to an estimated 700,000 premature deaths globally each year. Though this is mostly attributed to the widespread overprescription of antibiotics, other factors contribute to the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance.

A study published in the Lancet Planetary Health in August found a potential link between antimicrobial resistance and air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter. In this article, Camfil’s air quality experts explain why antimicrobial resistance is so harmful, and how air pollution may contribute to its rising presence.

What is Antibiotic Resistance and Why Does It Matter?

Antibiotic, or anti-microbial, resistance is the process of pathogens (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) becoming less susceptible to the medications and treatments we use against them. Pathogens reproduce quickly, and viruses and bacteria are single-celled organisms, which means that the process of evolution can be observed in extremely short periods of time compared to larger organisms.

Genetic mutations, most of which happen due to random errors, cause some individual pathogens to develop attributes that may be benign (there is no effect on survival), negative (the pathogen is less likely to survive), or positive (the pathogen is more likely to survive) in relation to different environmental factors, known as selection pressures. Furthermore, all bacteria and viruses and most species of fungi reproduce...

Read Full Story: https://cleanair.camfil.us/2023/09/09/increases-in-antibiotic-resistance-may-be-related-to-air-pollution-according-to-new-study/

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