| The growing problem of antibiotic resistance is | | | | In his report titled, “Infections of the |
| sweeping the world, putting many people at risk | | | | airways” published in Current Opinion on |
| of deadly respiratory tract infections (RTIs). | | | | Infectious Diseases. Dr. R. Wilson said new drugs |
| This was the consensus of medical experts at the | | | | are required to combat the growing menace of |
| 22nd International Congress of Chemotherapy in | | | | RTIs that affect millions of people worldwide – |
| Amsterdam. The congress brought together | | | | both young and old alike. |
| nearly 3,000 delegates from all over the world | | | | “Until recently, the antibiotics available for the |
| representing more than 60 member societies of | | | | management of RTIs were adequate and there |
| the International Society of Chemotherapy. | | | | was less of a need for new agents. However |
| During the symposium, new data were presented | | | | now that common pathogens are more likely to |
| showing the alarming problem of antibacterial | | | | be resistant to currently prescribed antibiotics and |
| resistance in many parts of the world, owing | | | | new pathogens are being recognized, the situation |
| largely to the uncontrolled and inappropriate use of | | | | has changed,” Wilson said. |
| antibiotics in both industrial and developing | | | | In America alone, RTIs are among the Top 10 |
| countries. | | | | causes of death in the elderly and cost the nation |
| One of the speakers, Dr. Dieter Adam, professor | | | | more than $24 billion yearly. In Switzerland, RTIs |
| of pediatrics at the Kinderklinik der Universitat | | | | account for almost 50 percent of pediatric |
| Munchen in Munich, Germany, noted the high | | | | consultations and over 3 million working days are |
| incidence of antibacterial resistance to two | | | | lost because of the disease. |
| commonly prescribed antibiotics - penicillin and | | | | In addition to the continued loss of work and |
| macrolides – in Hong Kong, France, Spain and | | | | school days, RTIs weaken the body’s natural |
| Greece. He attributed the problem to the | | | | immune system, eventually leading to the |
| availability of antibiotics over the counter, wrong | | | | deterioration of pulmonary function. |
| prescription practices, low-priced generic brands, | | | | Another researcher, Dr. P. Bell, who said that |
| and poor patient compliance. | | | | there is a need for more judicious use of |
| Because of this, treatment of RTIs like | | | | antibiotics, shares Wilson’s sentiments. He said |
| pneumonia, tonsillitis and bronchitis has become | | | | that in the United Kingdom, over 25 million |
| difficult and a burden to many patients around the | | | | antibiotic prescriptions are given yearly but many |
| world. Dr. Robert Cohen, a pediatrician at the | | | | of these are unnecessary and contribute mainly |
| Department of Microbiology, Hospital | | | | to antibiotic resistance. |
| Intercommunal de Creteil in France, added that | | | | “After 40 years of antibiotic use, it appears |
| RTIs account for more than 50 percent of | | | | that other strategies will be necessary in the |
| consultations and more than 75 percent of | | | | present decade to eradicate RTIs,” said Dr. |
| antibiotic prescriptions. | | | | J.M. Bernstein in Respiration. |