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The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent global threats to public health in the 21st century. AMR refers to disease-causing microbes (also known as pathogens) evolving and gaining resistance to drugs and substances that were once effective treatments against infections (antimicrobials). It poses significant challenges to current clinical care, health economies, animal and plant health as well as the environment. Microbiologists from across the world are committed to developing innovative solutions to combat AMR and reduce its impact on global health.

The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent global threats to public health in the 21st century. AMR refers to disease-causing microbes (known as a pathogens) evolving and gaining resistance to drugs and substances that were once effective treatments against infections (antimicrobials). It poses significant challenges to clinical care, health economies, animal and plant health as well as the environment. Microbiologists from across the world are committed to developing innovative solutions to combat AMR.

AMR is a slow-moving pandemic, which already causes at least 70,000 deaths a year globally. Unchecked, the impact of AMR will continue to grow and has the potential to become the greatest future threat to human health and well-being. 

In 2015 the United Nations (UN) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of  targets for the world to achieve by 2030. AMR is a very real threat to achieving the UN SDGs,  particularly those associated with poverty, food production, the environment and sustainable economic growth. AMR is a naturally occurring process, whereby micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) can change and adapt over time, either by modifying the target of the antimicrobial, or by developing and exchanging resistance genes.

The first 2019 issue of Microbiology Today explores microbes found throughout the world’s oceans. The five featured articles focus on a variety of micro-organisms, examining their wide-ranging roles within the marine environment and the impact they can have both in the sea and on dry land.

Increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance mean that conditions such as tuberculosis, HIV and malaria are again becoming increasingly difficult to treat. Antimicrobial-resistant infections cause over 700,000 deaths worldwide annually, and this number is set to grow. There is a need to address the overuse of antimicrobials in medicine and agriculture, and for research to develop new antimicrobials and alternative antimicrobial therapies.

The Learned Society Partnership on Antimicrobial Resistance (LeSPAR), which comprises the Microbiology Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, Biochemical Society, Society for Applied Microbiology, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and Royal Society of Biology, published a statement in response to the approval of the World Health Organization Global Action Plan on AMR.

The November 2012 issue of Microbiology Today contains a variety of articles on antimicrobials.

The May 2010 issue of Microbiology Today focuses on microbes that exist in oceans.

The May 2007 issue of Microbiology Today focuses on actinobacteria.

The May 2004 issue of Microbiology Today focuses on the future of antimicrobials.