Infectious Diseases and HIV Conference

The compromise in antibiotic efficacy, antifungals, and antivirals leads to infections becoming substantially more difficult to treat, hence antimicrobial resistance is an emerging global health threat.

This session will address the mechanisms, impact, and strategies for countering antimicrobial resistance, including call for coordination at local, national, and international levels.A.M.R is the ability of a micro-organism such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites to become resistant to drugs that previously had kept the infections under control.

The main mechanisms will be discussed, which are genetic mutations, horizontal gene transmission, and the role of biofilms in protecting pathogens from antimicrobial agents. Such knowledge is of paramount importance in the development of new treatment strategies and in trying to prevent the spread of resistant strains.

The outcome of AMR is far beyond a patient and increases morbidity and mortality and is a huge burden on healthcare resources as infections by resistant organisms are commonly associated with longer hospital stays, more intensive care, and use of costlier or toxic alternatives. This session will report on trends in the increase in incidence of drug-resistant infections, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aurous (MRSA), multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and resistant strains of Escherichia coli.

Participants will be advised of the public health implications of AMR and of the need for an efficient system of surveillance and reporting. Addressing AMR can be a multi-faceted approach, looking into antibiotic stewardship, infection prevention and control, and public education.

In this session, principles of antibiotic stewardship programmers meant to optimize the use of antimicrobials in a way that minimizes the development of resistance will be discussed.

Participants will come to know best practices in prescribing antibiotics that focus properly on all aspects of accurate diagnosis, appropriate drug, and proper following of treatment guidelines.

Infection control practices such as hand hygiene, vaccination, and proper management of healthcare-associated infection can significantly help prevent the spread of resistant pathogens.

The session will also discuss the role of research in the development of new antimicrobials, alternative therapies, and rapid diagnostic tests in the fight against the AMR.Lastly, the session would touch upon global efforts against AMR through the World Health Organization's actions of Global Action Plan on AMR, awareness improvement, strengthened surveillance implementation, and promotion of research and development.

Collaboration among providers of healthcare, researchers, policymakers, and public is fundamental for the effective mitigation of AMR.

Let's join together in this session of critical importance for an insight into the complex scenario of antimicrobial resistance, covering actionable strategies that are urgently necessary in order to ensure the effective protection of current antimicrobials and improved patient health outcomes worldwide.