Suraj Kumar Sharma*

Department of Microbiology, School of Pharmacy at Netaji Subhas University, Jharkhand, India

*Corresponding Author: Suraj Kumar Sharma, Department of Microbiology, School of Pharmacy at Netaji Subhas University, Jharkhand, India.

Received: March 24, 2026; Published: July 27, 2026

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a critical global health threat, undermining decades of progress in infectious disease management. This review synthesises current evidence on the mechanisms, drivers, and global burden of AMR, alongside emerging strategies for mitigation. A structured literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases cover- ing publications from 2010 to 2025. Findings indicate that AMR contributed to millions of deaths globally, with projections suggest- ing substantial increases by 2050. Mechanisms of resistance include enzymatic degradation, target modification, efflux pumps, and biofilm formation. Key drivers include antibiotic misuse, inadequate surveillance, and environmental dissemination. Despite global initiatives such as the WHO’s Global Action Plan, significant gaps persist in surveillance systems, economic modelling, and One Health integration. Emerging solutions include artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics, novel antimicrobials, and microbiome-based thera- pies. Addressing AMR requires coordinated, multidisciplinary interventions that integrate the human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance; Multidrug Resistance; One Health; Antibiotic Stewardship; Global Burden; Drug Development

References

1. Naghavi M., et al. “Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance 1990–2021”. The Lancet (2024).
2. Okeke IN., et al. “The scope of the antimicrobial resistance challenge”. The Lancet (2024).
3. Belay W Y., et al. “Mechanism of antibacterial resistance. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2024).
4. Chong C E., et al. “AMR conference report”. npj Antimicrobials and Resistance (2024).
5. Sharma S., et al. “From ayurveda to evidence-based medicine: A translational review of gymnema sylvestre”. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis2 (2025): 110-115.
6. Marino A., et al. “Global burden of multidrug-resistant bacteria”. Epidemiologia (2025).
7. Oliveira M., et al. “Advances in antimicrobial resistance”. Microorganisms (2024).
8. Birlutiu V., et al. “Epidemiology of multidrug resistance”. Microorganisms (2024).
9. Sharma SK., et al. “Moringa oleifera as a natural antimicrobial agent: A phytochemical and microbiological investigation”. African Journal of Medicine and Pharma Research1 (2025): 28-37.
10. Kumar H., et al. “Trends in AMR”. Journal of Infection (2025).
11. Painter C., et al. “Sustainable AMR surveillance”. The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2025).
12. Suraj Kumar Sharma., et al. “Analysis of Drug Metabolism". Acta Scientific Pharmaceutical Sciences4 (2025): 56-61.
13. Lewnard JA., et al. “AMR burden in LMICs”. The Lancet (2024).

Citation

Citation: Suraj Kumar Sharma. “The Rising Tide of Antimicrobial Resistance: Mechanisms, Drivers, and Clinical Fallout". Acta Scientific Microbiology 9.8 (2026): 41-44.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2026 Suraj Kumar Sharma. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.