ABSTRACT
Antimicrobials are one of the effective weapons that are used to combat fatal diseases. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global menace that is observable not only in infectious diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis, but also in general infections caused by nosocomial pathogens. The emergence and spread of resistance to new antimicrobial agents poses major threats to the current healthcare programs. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an inevitable evolutionary mechanism associated directly with the consumption of antibiotics/antimicrobials. The loss in the efficacy of antimicrobials is attributed mainly to the evolution of new resistance mechanisms, the transfer of genetic material responsible for resistance and mutations in the target site of antimicrobial agents. Innovative strategies are required along with new antimicrobials are required to overcome such queries. The judicial use of antimicrobials (existing and new) is necessary for the effective and longer use of antimicrobials in the health care system. The AMR results in difficulties in treating the infections with existing antimicrobials and adds significantly to the economic cost of treatment. The aim of this chapter is to shed light on the modes and mechanism of actions of antimicrobials, the evolution of AMR and antimicrobial stewardship.
