This case study examines the critical issue of antibiotic resistance resulting from overuse in clinical settings. The analysis explores how unrestricted access and excessive consumption of antibiotics leads to resistant bacterial strains through mechanisms including horizontal gene transfer and natural selection. Using amoxicillin as a specific example for urinary tract infections, the study demonstrates both therapeutic benefits and associated risks, ultimately advocating for improved regulation and reduced over-the-counter availability to combat this growing healthcare threat.
Infections are common causes of death among children and adults. Antibiotics have been used in treating infections such as those of the urinary tract owing to their effectiveness. However, it would be prudent to note that there are clinical problems related to antibiotics resistance which is caused by various factors. Overuse happens to be one of the factors that cause antibiotic resistance (Cegielski, Tudor, Volchenkov, and Jensen, 2021). Overuse of antibiotics is promoted by lack of regulation - making them cheap, plentiful, and easily accessible over the counter. As the Cegielski, Tudor, Volchenkov, and Jensen (2021) further suggest, overuse of antibiotics leads to resistance. Essentially, consumption of antibiotics leads to dissemination and emergence of a resistant bacteria strain (Cegielski, Tudor, Volchenkov, and Jensen, 2021). In the said bacteria, genes are inherited or acquired through genetic elements which are mobile. The horizontal gene transfer allows the transfer of antibiotic resistance to different bacterial species. Mutation can also cause antibiotic resistance whereby drug-sensitive competitors are removed leading to natural selection. As a result, resistant bacteria is left behind (Cegielski, Tudor, Volchenkov, and Jensen, 2021). The said bacteria threatens the health benefits of antibiotics. In addition, infections caused by antibiotic resistance place a huge economic and health burden on the population and the entire health system. To prevent antibacterial resistance owing to overuse, Cegielski, Tudor, Volchenkov, and Jensen (2021) suggest that the use of the said medications should be reduced. This can be done through regulations whereby the number of antibiotics that are available over the counter are reduced or limited.
Amoxicillin happens to be an antibiotic that can be used in treating urinary tract infection. The said antibiotic is a beta-lactam antimicrobial which binds to proteins that bind penicillin. As a result, the process of transpeptidation is inhibited and the autolytic enzymes found in the cell wall of the bacteria are activated leading to disintegration of the cell wall thereby damaging the bacterial cell. Essentially, amoxicillin isolates the genitourinary tract infections in a process called bactericidal killing. The bacterial infections killed in urinary tract infection are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis, and beta-lactamase-negative Escherichia coli (Akhavan, Khanna, and Vihjan, 2021). Further, the authors suggest that amoxicillin can be administered by combining it with an inhibitor that contains beta-lactamase. Although amoxicillin can be tolerated well in patients taking the said drug, it is important to note that it may be associated with some reactions. For instance, some patients may complain of diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea (Akhavan, Khanna, and Vihjan, 2021). In addition, amoxicillin may lead to hypersensitive reactions which may lead to liver injury. Other negative effects of amoxicillin use are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, confusion, insomnia, anxiety, agitation, and black hairy tongue. Further, amoxicillin may lead to skin reactions that may cross-react with carbapenems and cephalosporins (Akhavan, Khanna, and Vihjan, 2021).
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