The silent pandemic: resistant pathogens
Antibiotic-resistant pathogens are one of the biggest threats to our health worldwide. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) affects people all over the world, reduces our arsenal of effective medicines and makes even routine treatments considerably riskier. This is why new drugs and treatments against infectious pathogens are urgently needed. We provide facts about the silent pandemic – and show you what Empa is doing about it.
How does AMR arise?
AMR occurs naturally over time, as microbes can become insensitive or even resistant to drugs such as antibiotics, antivirals or antifungals. Microbes are living organisms that reproduce naturally and adapt to their environment.
If insufficient doses of antibiotics are taken over a long period of time, the germs develop resistance in order to survive. Multi-resistant pathogens or “superbugs” are super-strong bacteria that have developed resistance to all manmade antibiotic substances.
New resistances can be prevented by all of us, for instance by avoiding infections through good hygiene and not using antimicrobial substances incorrectly or excessively, such as taking antibiotics against viral infections. Another option is to protect yourself against infections through vaccinations, especially, but not only, when traveling.
What is Empa doing about it?
Researchers at Empa are working on a variety of approaches to combat the “silent pandemic”. The projects on the prevention, detection and treatment of antibiotic resistance are based on new materials and technologies for a sustainable and efficient response to one of the world's biggest and most urgent health crises.
Dr. Qun Ren
Biointerfaces
Phone +41 58 765 7688
Pocket Facts 01: Dangerous increase: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Download Pocket Facts here.
Avert AMR resistance
Prevention
Empa researchers are working on new materials to reduce the risk of tolerance or resistance development, such as antimicrobial surface coatings and wound dressings based on nanoparticles.
More information
Detection of resistant pathogens
Diagnostics
Improved methods and techniques for the detection of antibiotic resistance are urgently needed. Empa researchers are working on different approaches in order to promote fast, precise and reliable diagnostics.
More information
Treatment of infections with resistant bacteria
Therapy
When resistant bacteria, so-called superbugs, cause an infection, existing antibiotics are ineffective. Interdisciplinary teams at Empa are developing new therapies against multi-resistant pathogens.