Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Resistance to antimicrobial agent has resulted in morbidity and mortality from treatment failures and increased health care costs. Although defining the precise public health risk and estimating the increase in cost is not a simple task and there is little doubt that emergent antibiotic resistance is a serious global problem. The easy availability of antimicrobials in India increases the problem manifolds. Incorporation of these drugs into herbal remedies also leads to inappropriates use of antimicrobials. Methodology: Two studies were conducted on extended spectrum beta lactamase resistance pattern in two different parts of India. The first study was conducted in September 2007 on urinary isolates received from tertiary care hospital in North Eastern part of India. The second study was done in January 2010 on respiratory isolates received from an urban slum community in West Bengal, India. Results: Both the studies revealed that emergence of ESBL resistance is becoming a serious threat to the health care sector. Conclusion: The Government of India has come up with policies defining this public health problem and incorporation of antibiotic stewardship programs into the healthcare sector is becoming an absolute necessity.

Biography

Nibedita Das works as a Specialist (Microbiology) at Institute of Serology, Govt. of India, and Kolkata, India. She specializes in investigation of epidemics and has done substantial work as a Public Health Microbiologist at All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Govt. of India, Kolkata India. Her avid interest is in antimicrobial resistance. Many of her research papers have been published in national and international journals.