We are again joined by UCLH Consultant Microbiologist Vanya Gant, for a sobering discussion on the increasing difficulty antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is causing in healthcare. As the era of effective antibiotics fades, we discuss the causes and potential ways forward.
We look at how phages and plasmids can spread AMR traits across the bacterial ecology of a hospital. How rapidly dividing pathogens such as E. coli gain evolutionary advantages in developing AMR due to selection pressures. And ultimately the devastating impact that AMR can have when it becomes prevalent in a Bone Marrow Transplant unit.
The weapons within our grasp are now antibiotic stewardship and effective prevention of cross infection, through control of the air, water, equipment and people that work with the healthcare setting.
