Antimicrobial Resistance—Caveats and Challenges in Mycobacterial Infections

Dear Colleagues,

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public threat globally, compelling the need for research and innovation. Misuse or overuse of antimicrobial agents is the primary cause of AMR when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites fail to respond to antimicrobial treatment. Among bacteria, mycobacterial infections, primarily tuberculosis and now followed by non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections, are major contributors to AMR as “superbugs” that threaten health, safety, and the economy. A rise in these drug-resistant strains makes it more difficult to treat, thus increasing the risk of disease spread as well as upraised mortality and morbidity. Drug resistance in mycobacteria is either primary or acquired, with several molecular mechanisms leading to the emergence of drug resistance. Diagnosis of drug-resistant mycobacteria and the development of an antibiotic pipeline is a huge challenge to prevent AMR in mycobacterial infections. The caveats in mycobacterial infections include longer therapeutic intervention for drug resistance with adverse effects that compromise patient compliance and require adherence monitoring. The emergence/evolution, persistence, and spread of drug-resistant mycobacteria are often associated with antibiotic use among human–animal–environment confluence. While mycobacterial infections occurring among animals and environmental sources are hugely differentiated from human infections, there is a pertinent need for a one-health approach to combat AMR. In addition to diagnosis, drug discovery, and treatment, setting up surveillance of AMR among mycobacterial infections as well as infection prevention and control (IPC) programs are required.

The scope of this Special Issue will include antimicrobial resistance in mycobacteria; mechanisms of AMR; zoonosis; environmental mycobacteria; one health; diagnosis; misuse of drugs; antibiotic pipeline; treatment monitoring; surveillance; infection prevention and control.

Dr. Selvakumar Subbian
Guest Editor

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