Climate change is multiplying the threat caused by the antimicrobial resistance (RAM), amplifying its increasing risk through the rising global temperaturesthe Emissions of greenhouse gases and the Rising sea levels.
This warning will be given in a new evidence review at the ESCMID Global Congress this year (April 27-30), for the Professor Sabiha EssackSouth African Research Chair in Antibiotic Resistance and One Health at the Antimicrobial Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Threat of antimicrobial resistance
Professor Essack explains that the climate change is known as the antimicrobial resistance threat multiplier because exerts its effects through transport and population growth over the spread of diseaseswhile increasing the risk of antimicrobial resistance at the biological level by changing the physical and environmental conditions in which microbes live.
“He climate change compromises the ecological integrity and environmental living systems and allows pathogens to cause more and more diseases. The impact on water systems, food-producing animals and crops threatens the global food supply. The human activities associated with population growth and transportationtogether with climate change, increase the antibiotic resistance and the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases in humans, animals and plants.”
She explains that, as with all life, the temperature is essential for the bacterial processes and infections. “As temperatures rise with climate change, Bacterial infection rates may increase“and diseases can spread to higher altitudes and latitudes where they were not found before,” says Professor Essack.
“He Rising temperatures and the incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases will increase the use of antimicrobials and the subsequent selection pressure to obtain resistance or, in other words, will make it easier for microbes to develop resistance to antimicrobials“. Considers an example of a study carried out in the USA., where a map of increasing resistance of E. coli reflects temperature changes over 30 years. Given the More and more countries experience higher average temperatures each seasonthe ability of these bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics is increasing.
As documented in the 2021 climate reportthe Sea levels are rising at their fastest rate in 3000 yearsand the ice of the Arctic and Antarctic They are melting and receding rapidlywith reports of antimicrobial resistance genes being released from permafrost in Siberia and Alaska (genes that encode beta, lactamases, efflux pumps and acetyltransferases have been identified that confer resistance to several classes of antibiotics).
Professor Essack says: “Climate change is also causing ocean currents to move and with them they will move antimicrobial resistance genes.. Ship ballasts (ship compartments that contain water to aid stability) have also been implicated in the RAM transport across the seas. Vibrio bacteria are of particular concern. Are bacteria are marine pathogens They thrive in slightly salty water in warm climates. An increase in sea surface temperature due to climate change may alter the abundance, distribution and infection patterns of vibrio.” Cholera characterized by diarrhea is an example of such infections, which are on the rise.
Professor Essack concludes: “Climate change has facilitated the movement and proliferation of antimicrobial resistance. To confront this threat, we will need unequivocal political leadership and commitment; strong global and local policy and governance frameworks; Innovative evidence-based ‘One Health’ solutions and implementation research to adapt successful interventions to country contexts.
