Antibiotic consumption is not the driver of aminoglycoside resistance

 

Image: By Fdardel - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19727275

Drug resistance to aminoglycosides, a class of antibiotics, may be driven more by exchanges between ecosystems than by drug consumption, according to a new study.

 

The study suggests that the prevalence of antibiotic resistance across Europe between 1997 and 2018 is mostly explained by exchanges between ecosystems, and human exchanges such as merchandise imports or travel.

 

The results support the idea that interventional strategies based on reducing antibiotic use should be complemented by a stronger control of exchanges, especially between ecosystems.

 

There are cases where developed countries have reduced their antibiotic consumption and not halted the spread of antibiotic resistance genes across bacterial populations, implying other factors are at play.

 

The researchers set out to describe the genetic, geographical and ecological distribution of resistances to a class of antibiotics called aminoglycosides, and from this information, quantify the relative contribution of different factors driving the spread of antibiotic resistance.

 

Aminoglycosides have limited clinical use in humans, but are often a last resort for treating multi-resistant infections. They are also commonly used in the treatment of farmyard animals, meaning that resistance to them poses a significant threat to global food security.

 

The researchers utilised a computational approach to screen the genetic information of over 160,000 bacteria genomes, looking for genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs) -- the most common mechanism of aminoglycoside resistance. They detected AME genes in around a quarter of genomes screened, and in samples from all continents (excluding Antarctica) and all biomes investigated. The majority of AME-gene-carrying bacteria were found in clinical samples (55.3%), human samples (22.1%) and farm samples (12.3%).

 

The researchers then focused on the distribution of AME genes across Europe, from 1997-2018, when the most detailed data was available. During this period, aminoglycoside usage remained relatively constant, but was highly variable between countries. Comparing the prevalence of AME genes between countries with different aminoglycoside usage over time, the team determined that aminoglycoside consumption was only a minor explanatory factor, with few positive or directional effects on AME gene prevalence.

 

Instead, the dataset implies that human exchanges through trade and migration, and exchanges between biomes, explain most of the spread and maintenance of antibiotic resistance when modelled over time, space and ecology. AME genes can be carried over continents by plant and animal products, and international trade and travellers, and may then spread to local strains of bacteria through a process called horizontal gene transfer -- the movement of genetic information between organisms. The pool of AME genes sampled from plants, wild animals and soil had the strongest overlap with other communities, suggesting these biomes are major hubs for AME gene propagation, either by horizontal resistance gene transfer or by resistant bacteria movement.

 

The findings suggest that the largest cause of AME gene spread is through the movement of antibiotic-resistant bacteria between ecosystems and biomes. This spread is aided by mobile genetic elements, which increase the likelihood for a genome to carry several copies of the same AME gene. This increases the expression of transferred AME genes and allows bacteria to evolve new antibiotic resistance functions through the duplicated sequences.

 

These findings are preliminary, as limited by the use of publicly available data, rather than deploying a dedicated sampling method. In addition, the genetic data sourced from multiple different research projects caused a sampling bias towards industrialised countries and biomes with clinical interest, leading to some locations and biomes being over-represented.

 

See:

 

Léa Pradier, Stéphanie Bedhomme. Ecology, more than antibiotics consumption, is the major predictor for the global distribution of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes. eLife, 2023; 12 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.77015

 

Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)

Benefits of The Pharmacovigliance Industry in 2023 and Beyond

The pharmacovigilance industry is an essential component of the healthcare system, ensuring that drugs, medications, and vaccines are tested and monitored for safety and efficacy before making them available to the public. This industry has seen tremendous growth over the past few years and is expected to continue to do so in the coming years. In 2023, the pharmacovigilance industry is projected to make significant advancements in its technology and processes that will help improve the safety and efficacy of drugs, medications, and vaccines.

 

By Brittany Cotton

 

The Importance Of Testing Drugs, Medications, And Vaccines

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is responsible for testing drugs, medications, and vaccines before making them available to the public. This process is critical for ensuring that any potential risks associated with using these products are identified and managed appropriately. Testing drugs, medications, and vaccines is essential for the following reasons:

 

1. To ensure product safety

 

Testing is essential to confirm that drugs, medications, and vaccines are safe to use and are not associated with any potential risks. Through testing, scientists and healthcare professionals can identify possible side effects or adverse reactions related to the product, allowing them to take appropriate action to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm. For example, testing can identify potential interactions between drugs, medications, and vaccines, alerting healthcare providers to the potential risks associated with combining these products.

 

2. To ensure product efficacy

 

Testing is also essential for confirming the efficacy of drugs, medications, and vaccines. By testing these products, scientists and healthcare professionals can ensure that they are able to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and that there are no unforeseen consequences associated with their use. For example, testing can identify potential interactions between drugs, medications, and vaccines, allowing healthcare providers to adjust their dosages or combinations to maximize their therapeutic effect.

 

3. To protect public health

 

Testing is essential for protecting public health. By testing drugs, medications, and vaccines, healthcare professionals can ensure that they are safe and effective and that they will not cause any harm to the people who use them. This is especially important in the case of vaccines, which are used to protect people against potentially deadly diseases. By testing vaccines, healthcare professionals can ensure that they are safe and effective and that they will not cause any harm to the people who receive them.

 

4. To monitor for potential risks

 

Testing is also important for monitoring the safety and efficacy of drugs, medications, and vaccines. By testing these products regularly, scientists and healthcare professionals can detect any potential risks or side effects associated with their use. For example, testing can identify any potential interactions between drugs, medications, and vaccines, alerting healthcare providers to the potential risks associated with combining these products.

 

5. To detect counterfeit products

 

Testing is also essential for detecting counterfeit products. The pharmacovigilance industry is responsible for testing products to verify their authenticity and protect consumers from unknowingly using counterfeit products. By testing products, healthcare professionals can ensure that they are safe, effective, and not fake.

 

6. To provide data for research and clinical studies

 

Testing is essential for providing data for research and clinical studies. By testing drugs, medications, and vaccines, scientists and healthcare professionals can collect data that can be used for research and clinical studies. This data can be used to identify any potential risks associated with using these products and with developing better treatments and vaccines.

 

7. To ensure compliance with regulations

 

Testing ensures that drugs, medications, and vaccines comply with applicable regulations. By testing these products, healthcare professionals can ensure that they meet the standards set by regulatory bodies and that they are safe and effective. This is especially important in the case of vaccines, which must be tested and approved by regulatory authorities before they can be made available to the public.

 

8. To meet patient needs

 

Testing is essential for meeting patient needs. By testing drugs, medications, and vaccines, healthcare professionals can ensure that they meet the needs of their patients. For example, testing can help identify potential interactions between drugs, medications, and vaccines, allowing healthcare providers to adjust their dosages or combinations to maximize their therapeutic effect.

 

9. To ensure product quality

 

Testing is also essential for ensuring the quality of drugs, medications, and vaccines. By testing these products, healthcare professionals can ensure that they are safe and effective and meet the standards set by regulatory authorities. This is especially important in the case of vaccines, which must be tested and approved by regulatory authorities before they can be made available to the public.

 

How This Industry Is Changing And Trends To Watch Out For

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is rapidly changing, and there are several trends to watch out for in the coming years. In 2023, the pharmacovigilance industry is projected to make significant advancements in its technology and processes that will help improve the safety and efficacy of drugs, medications, and vaccines. The following are some of the key trends to watch in the pharmacovigilance industry in 2023:

 

1. Increased focus on patient safety

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is increasingly focusing on patient safety. As safety regulations become more stringent, pharmacovigilance companies are focusing on developing more rigorous processes and procedures for detecting and monitoring any potential risks associated with the use of drugs, medications, and vaccines. This includes using advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to identify potential risks and take appropriate action to mitigate them.

 

2. Increased use of technology

 

The pharmacovigilance industry increasingly relies on technology to improve its processes and procedures. This includes using advanced technologies, such as AI and machine learning, to identify potential risks and take appropriate action to mitigate them. Additionally, pharmacovigilance companies are utilizing big data and analytics to collect and analyze large amounts of data, allowing them to detect potential risks more quickly and effectively.

 

3. Increased emphasis on real-world evidence

 

The pharmacovigilance industry also emphasizes real-world evidence, which is data collected from patients outside clinical trials. This data can identify potential risks associated with drugs, medications, and vaccines, allowing pharmacovigilance companies to take appropriate action to mitigate them.

 

4. Increased focus on data quality

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is also placing an increased focus on data quality. As data becomes increasingly important for detecting and monitoring any potential risks associated with drugs, medications, and vaccines, pharmacovigilance companies are focusing on ensuring that the data they collect is accurate and reliable. This includes using advanced technologies, such as AI and machine learning, to identify potential data errors and take appropriate action to correct them.

 

5. Increased focus on automation

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is also placing an increased focus on automation. Automation can reduce the time and resources required to detect and monitor potential risks associated with using drugs, medications, and vaccines. Additionally, automation can help reduce the risk of human error, ensuring that the data collected is accurate and reliable.

 

6. Increased collaboration between stakeholders

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is also seeing an increased focus on collaboration between stakeholders. This includes cooperation between pharmacovigilance companies and healthcare providers, regulatory authorities, and patient groups. This collaboration can help ensure that any potential risks associated with the use of drugs, medications, and vaccines are identified and managed appropriately.

 

7. Increased focus on digitalization

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is also focusing on digitalization, which converts data from paper-based systems into digital formats. Digitalization can improve the accuracy and efficiency of the data collection process, allowing pharmacovigilance companies to detect and monitor any potential risks associated with using drugs, medications, and vaccines more quickly and effectively.

 

8. Increased focus on predictive analytics

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is also placing an increased focus on predictive analytics. Predictive analytics can help identify any potential risks associated with drugs, medications, and vaccines before they occur, allowing pharmacovigilance companies to take appropriate action to mitigate them. Predictive analytics can also help identify potential interactions between drugs, medications, and vaccines, allowing healthcare providers to adjust their dosages or combinations to maximize their therapeutic effect.

 

9. Increased focus on data visualization

 

The pharmacovigilance industry also focuses on data visualization, which is converting data into visual formats, such as charts and graphs. Data visualization can help pharmacovigilance companies identify potential risks associated with using drugs, medications, and vaccines more quickly and effectively. Additionally, data visualization can help healthcare providers understand the data more efficiently, allowing them to take appropriate action to mitigate potential risks.

 

Key Advancements made or projected in the pharmacovigilance industry in 2023:

 

 

•             Increase in the use of AI and machine learning

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is projected to make significant advancements in its use of AI and machine learning in 2023. AI and machine learning can help identify any potential risks associated with the use of drugs, medications, and vaccines more quickly and effectively, allowing pharmacovigilance companies to take appropriate action to mitigate them. Additionally, AI and machine learning can help identify potential interactions between drugs, medications, and vaccines, allowing healthcare providers to adjust their dosages or combinations to maximize their therapeutic effect.

 

•             Increase in the use of big data and analytics

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is also projected to make significant advancements in its use of big data and analytics in 2023. Big data and analytics can help pharmacovigilance companies collect and analyze large amounts of data to detect potential risks associated with using drugs, medications, and vaccines. Additionally, big data and analytics can help identify possible interactions between drugs, medicines, and vaccines, alerting healthcare providers to the potential risks associated with combining these products.

 

•             Increase the use of real-world evidence

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is projected to make significant advancements using real-world evidence in 2023. Real-world evidence can help pharmacovigilance companies identify any potential risks associated with using drugs, medications, and vaccines before they occur, allowing them to take appropriate action to mitigate them. Additionally, real-world evidence can help identify any potential interactions between drugs, medications, and vaccines, enabling healthcare providers to adjust their dosages or combinations in order to maximize their therapeutic effect.

 

•             Increase in the use of predictive analytics

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is also projected to make significant advancements in its use of predictive analytics in 2023. Predictive analytics can help pharmacovigilance companies identify any potential risks associated with the use of drugs, medications, and vaccines before they occur, allowing them to take appropriate action to mitigate them. Additionally, predictive analytics can help identify potential interactions between drugs, medications, and vaccines, enabling healthcare providers to adjust their dosages or combinations to maximize their therapeutic effect.

 

•             Increase the use of data visualization tools

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is also projected to make significant advancements in its use of data visualization tools in 2023. Data visualization tools can help pharmacovigilance companies identify potential risks associated with using drugs, medications, and vaccines more quickly and effectively. Additionally, data visualization tools can help healthcare providers understand the data more efficiently, allowing them to take appropriate action to mitigate potential risks.

 

•             Increase the use of global harmonization

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is also projected to make significant advancements in its use of global harmonization in 2023. International harmonization can ensure that safety regulations are consistent across different countries, allowing pharmacovigilance companies to ensure that drugs, medications, and vaccines are safe and effective. Additionally, global harmonization can help ensure that people worldwide have access to safe and effective treatments and vaccines.

 

What does the future of the pharmacovigilance industry look like in the next year? Five years? Ten years?

 

The pharmacovigilance industry is expected to continue to grow and evolve over the next year, five years, and ten years. In the next year, the pharmacovigilance industry is expected to continue to make advancements in its technology and processes, such as using AI and machine learning, big data and analytics, digital tools, real-world evidence, predictive analytics, data visualization tools, and global harmonization. Additionally, pharmacovigilance companies are expected to continue focusing on improving patient safety and ensuring the quality of drugs, medications, and vaccines quality.

 

Looking five years into the future, the pharmacovigilance industry is expected to make even more advancements in its technology and processes. This will include the use of even more advanced technologies, such as blockchain and quantum computing, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the data collection process. Additionally, pharmacovigilance companies are expected to continue focusing on improving patient safety and ensuring the quality of drugs, medications, and vaccines quality.

 

Looking ten years into the future, the pharmacovigilance industry is expected to be even more advanced and sophisticated. This will include using even more advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the data collection process. Additionally, pharmacovigilance companies are expected to continue focusing on improving patient safety and ensuring the quality of drugs, medications, and vaccines quality.

 

Conclusion

The pharmacovigilance industry is an essential component of the healthcare system, ensuring that drugs, medications, and vaccines are tested and monitored for safety and efficacy before making them available to the public. In 2023, the pharmacovigilance industry is projected to make significant advancements in its technology and processes that will help improve the safety and efficacy of drugs, medications, and vaccines.

 

These advancements include using AI and machine learning, big data and analytics, digital tools, real-world evidence, predictive analytics, data visualization tools, and global harmonization. Additionally, pharmacovigilance companies are expected to continue focusing on improving patient safety and ensuring the quality of drugs, medications, and vaccines quality. The pharmacovigilance industry's future looks bright, and it will continue to be an essential component of the healthcare system in the coming years.

 

At Med Communications, we are committed to helping healthcare professionals and the public stay informed about the latest advances in the pharmacovigilance industry. We provide a wide range of services, including pharmacovigilance consulting, medical writing, and clinical development services. For more information, please visit https://medcommunications.com/services/pharmacovigilance/.

 

Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)