Soumya Sarathi Ganguly, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Bacterial infections leading to diseases or in many of the times increasing the severity of another disease are one of the most common issues faced by human beings. Increased resistance against mostly used antibiotics (drugs) is presently the biggest concern for healthcare professionals and the general public.
Most disease-causing bacteria are mesophiles (grow in 20-45C). As bacteria grow and reproduce more quickly at warmer temperatures, a higher local temperature may be associated with increased antibiotic resistance in common bacterial strains. When an antibiotic is no longer effective on a particular type of bacteria, it has acquired resistance. These resistant bacteria can survive in the presence of the antibiotic. These bacteria may have become resistant in two ways, either by genetic mutation or by horizontal gene transfer.
Hotter temperature leads to higher bacterial growth and mutations. The study shows that a 10 F rise in temperature is associated with up to a 4.2% increase in antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli, responsible for drug-resistant urinary tract infections. Scientists believe that this association between antibiotic resistance and temperature could increase day by day.
When researchers correlated population density and antibiotic resistance, they found that an increase of 10,000 people per square mile is associated with a 6% increase in antibiotic resistance in K. pneumonia, which caused pneumonia, sepsis, and skin infections. Based on these results, they have concluded that bacterial transmission is more rapid in densely populated areas. Overprescription and reluctant use of antibiotics are some of the reasons for increased resistance. It is believed that up to 50% of the prescribed antibiotic is unnecessary or not optimally effective as prescribed.
We can say that higher temperatures, population density, and population rates are some of the reasons for the increase in antibiotic resistance.
Also read: Pet bearded dragons droppings cause Salmonella outbreak: Question is are they safe?
Reference: Antibiotic resistance increases with local temperature, Derek R. MacFadden et al., Nature Climate Change, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0161-6
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