Impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial resistance: revealing the hidden threats

Abdullah Zaawari; Harshini Somireddy; Mohammed Ameenul Khaliq

doi:10.18203/issn.2454-2156.IntJSciRep20221592

Authors

Abdullah Zaawari Department of Clinical Pharmacy, KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India Department of Pharm D, Nova College of Pharmacy, Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4970-3236
Harshini Somireddy Department of Pharm D, Nova College of Pharmacy, Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Care Hospitals, Hi-tech City, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Mohammed Ameenul Khaliq Department of Clinical Pharmacy, KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India Department of Pharm D, St. Paul’s College of Pharmacy, Affiliated to Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-2156.IntJSciRep20221592

Keywords:

COVID-19, Antimicrobial resistance, Stewardship, Antibiotics, Secondary bacterial infection

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, which was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has impacted every area of life, including efforts concerning antibiotic resistance (AMR). Antibiotic usage in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients exceeded the incidence of bacterial coinfections and secondary infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting irrational and excessive prescribing. Even in settings with established antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs, weaknesses were seen regarding the optimal use and administration of antibiotics during the epidemic. This irrational use and prescribing threaten the future of antimicrobial use and imply the possibility of another pandemic caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens.

In this review, we summarized the important aspects of COVID-19's impact, specifically on antimicrobials and other aspects. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are to be reinforced if not already implemented in all hospital settings to guide antimicrobial selection. This could contribute to combating this emerging concern of antimicrobial resistance.

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Author Biography

Abdullah Zaawari, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India Department of Pharm D, Nova College of Pharmacy, Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India

Clinical Pharmacist, Deprtment of Clinical pharmacy, KIMS Hospitals.

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