“Superbugs” are the antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites acquire the ability to evade the antimicrobial drug effects, not only to survive but also, in some cases, become more virulent. As such, the existing antimicrobial drugs are no longer effective and useful in treating the infections (used to be treatable). Superbug-induced infections are the major worldwide health concern with higher human mortality and an increased financial burden on society. The underlying mechanism of the evolvement of drug-sensitive to drug-resistant microorganisms is an extremely complex phenomenon. It is partly related to microorganism's unique ability to modify their genetic structures and biochemical functionality to survive and keep growing even in the presence of antimicrobial drugs. Since there are multiple factors involved in developing antimicrobial drug resistance, it cannot be reversed by adopting a single prevention strategy. Of importance, certain bacterium may not require antimicrobial drug exposure to develop resistance, as surrounding environmental exposure can facilitate the resistance.

Consistent misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs by healthcare professionals and consumers with its extensive use in food and meat production have put human health at risk. Lack of resources for research and low interest in developing the newer generation of antimicrobial drugs are also contributing to the evolution of superbugs. Without global involvement, partnership and collaboration, superbug-induced morbidity and mortality will be unmanageable in the future. To address this impending global health crisis, in May 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) assembly adopted a global action plan to combat the antimicrobial resistance, that include (1) to increase the awareness of antimicrobial resistance, (2) to advance research and surveillance, (3) to cut down the rate of infections through preventive measures, (4) to ensure the optimal use of antimicrobial drugs, and (5) to develop sustainable investment, taking into account the needs of the countries, to develop novel interventions. Unfortunately, implementing such WHO measures have both financial and logistic hurdles, and the rates of superbug-induced infections are alarmingly increasing.

A recently published article in “Frontiers in Public Health” has highlighted the importance of microbial resistance movements to reduce the burden of superbug-induced infections (1). The authors have elaborated on the genesis of antimicrobial drugs and listed the challenges of producing the newer generation of drugs to combat existing drug-resistant pathogens (1). Although the authors briefly touched on the irrational prescription of antimicrobial drugs in the both developed and developing countries, the review article did not discuss in depth the regulatory enforcement procedures to minimize the antimicrobial resistance (1). The opportunities and challenges of global standardization of the antimicrobial prescription processes were not explained in detail in the publication (1). Another critical area that was not emphasized enough in the article was the use of the antimicrobial drugs on animals and its potential consequences in developing antimicrobial resistance. This commentary will briefly elaborate on the cross-species transmission of resistant pathogens from animal to human. Appreciating that one single review article cannot cover all the aspects of antimicrobial resistance, the authors have fittingly highlighted the scientific and economic challenges that are hindering the novel antimicrobial drug development (1). The publication has justifiably concluded that antimicrobial resistance is a multifaced issue driven by numerous interrelated factors, and therefore, the use of any single intervention would have limited success (1). Recent publications have also emphasized why implementing an antimicrobial stewardship program is necessary to prepare the future medical professionals to enhance their awareness and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance to reduce the disease burden related to superbug-mediated infections (Figure 1) (2, 3).

Naturally occurring antimicrobial resistance is a prolonged and slow process. On the other hand, the overuse or misuse of antimicrobial drugs can rapidly induce antimicrobial resistance, and these superbugs are clinically challenging to eradicate. Through the antimicrobial stewardship program, necessary training should be provided to the healthcare professionals to reduce the unnecessary use of antimicrobial drugs to delay the occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms. Also, alternatives to the existing antimicrobial drugs or supplementary agents are needed to reduce the burden of antimicrobial drug resistance. For instance, a recent publication from McGill University (in Montreal, Canada) has claimed that a cranberry extract can make the bacteria more sensitive to antibiotic treatment (20). Developing clinically viable quorum sensing inhibitors to supplement existing antimicrobial agents would be another research avenue to pursue (21, 22). Finally, the empiric antibacterial therapy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to enhance antibiotic-resistant microorganisms (19–21). There is an urgent need to develop more potent antibiotics and/or innovative therapeutic strategies to deal with such emerging microbial resistance (23–25). The newly developed therapeutics need to be strictly regulated to avoid the past error of overuse-antimicrobial resistance. The coordinated and collaborative efforts among the national and international governmental and private agencies are required to achieve substantial progress in reducing or delaying the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance.

MR: conceptualized and wrote the article.

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.