Drug Resistance

Written in clear, nontechnical language, this investigation of drug resistance provides readers with an overview of the scientific issues, the current scope of the problem nationally and globally, and the measures that can be taken to combat this public health crisis.

Drug resistance-the reduction in the effectiveness of a particular medicine (particularly antimicrobials) in treating a disease or condition-is considered one of the most pressing issues in medicine today. This problem is likely to have profound impacts on society in the decades to come. This understandable, single-volume book explores the history of drug resistance, explains how drug resistance occurs, cites the most problematic examples, identifies the potential consequences, and describes how drug resistance can be prevented. It also pays attention to current issues and controversies surrounding this topic, such as the role of the industrialized food system in breeding antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli.

The coverage includes up-to-date information about specific diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), for which drug resistance is a particular issue. Readers will understand how human behavior, such as patient non-adherence to treatment and physician over-prescription of antibiotics, have served to foster drug resistance. A selection of primary documents sourced from organizations such as the World Health Organization, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will serve those interested in pursuing more detailed research on particular topics.

Series Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Section I: Overview and Historical Background of Drug Resistance
1 The Science of Drug Resistance
What Are Antimicrobials?
Key Antibiotics in Medical History
What Is Antimicrobial Resistance?
How Microbes Become Resistant
Why Drug Resistance Is a Concern
2 The Role of Human Behavior in Drug Resistance
Inappropriate Use of Drugs
Use of Low-Quality Drugs
Use of Antimicrobials in Animal Husbandry
3 The Scope of the Problem Today
Global Overview of Drug Resistance
Drug Resistance in the United States
4 Specific Diseases
Tuberculosis
Gonorrhea
Malaria
HIV
Influenza
5 Measures to Combat Drug Resistance
National and International Standards of Prescribing Practice
Infection Control
Vaccination Programs
Limiting Disease Spread through Travel
Developing New Antibiotics and Improved Diagnostic Tests
Surveillance and Reporting Programs
Recommendations for Global Surveillance
Section II: Contemporary Issues and Debates
6 Drug Resistance as a National and International Issue
Stakeholders
Recommendations for Antibiotic Use
Developing New Antibiotics
7 Changing Physician and Pharmacist Behavior
Decision Making in Medicine
Physician and Pharmacist Education
Health System Guidelines
8 Changing Patient Behavior
Patient Adherence
Obstacles to Adherence
Interventions to Improve Adherence
9 Balancing Individual and Societal Rights
Balancing Infection Control and the Right to Freedom and Privacy
DOT
Involuntary Quarantine
10 Contributions of Research to the Fight Against Drug Resistance
The Drug Development Process
Antibiotics in the Drug Development Pipeline
11 Antibiotics in Animal Husbandry
History
Specific Threats
The Scope of the Issue
Balancing Productivity and Public Safety
Section III: Resources
Primary Documents
Current Reports
Antimicrobial Resistance: Global Report on Surveillance: Summary
Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013: Executive Summary
Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Europe, 2015: Summary
Policy Statements
WHO Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance: Executive Summary
National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria: Executive Summary
The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals: Executive Summary
Timeline
Sources for Further Information
Glossary
Index