Study reveals 2 out of 3 healthy Indians are resistant to antibiotics

Antibiotics - these remarkable drugs are capable of killing off biological organisms in our body without harming us. However, two out of three healthy persons in India have antibiotic-resistant organisms in their digestive tracts, according to a study published by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The study was based on analysis of stool samples of 207 individuals who had not taken any antibiotics for at least a month and did not suffer from any chronic illness.

The study points to a rapid spread of antibiotic resistance in the Indian population.

How was the study carried out?

Based on the analysis of stool samples of 207 individuals, the study found that 139 individuals were resistant to one or more antibiotic class. The maximum resistance was seen for cephalosporins (60%) followed by fluoroquinolones (41.5%) – two commonly used antibiotics. Only 2% of the individuals were found to be multi-drug resistant.

What does the study show?

According to Dr Pallab Ray, professor of medicine microbiology at PGI Chandigarh who led the study, the inappropriate use of antibiotics has transformed the healthy human intestinal gut flora (microorganisms living in the digestive tract) into a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant organisms. At present, these organisms are resistant to low-end antibiotics but if the misuse persists, these may become resistant to high-end antibiotics as well,” Ray told TOI.

The spread of antibiotic resistance a cause for concern

The presence of antibiotic resistance in healthy individuals was a cause for concern because this signalled that it would get more difficult to treat infections in the future.

How does one become resistant to antibiotics

There are several ways of how individuals become antibiotic resistant.

— Inappropriate use of antibiotics

Under the illusion that taking antibiotics is essential even for a common cold, is a major cause of drug resistance. In this way, we have collectively overused antibiotics.  

— Rampant use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry animals

Antibiotics are used in animals to treat infections, for growth promotion using sub-therapeutic levels, and for prophylactic purposes to prevent disease. There are high levels of antibiotic resistance in veterinary sectors. Resistant bacteria in animals can spread to humans in several ways. 

— Improper disposal of residual antibiotics that enter the food chain.

How can this be tackled?

According to a report by UK Department of Health, there are four ways to tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance.

1. A global public awareness campaign to educate everyone about the problem of drug resistance.

2. The supply of new antibiotics needs to be improved so they can replace existing ones as they become ineffective.

3. Use antibiotics more selectively through the use of rapid diagnostics, to reduce unnecessary use, which speeds the incidence and spread of drug resistance. 

4. Reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics in agriculture and poultry