Massive COVID-19 cases as a result of coronavirus infection may contribute to the intensification of the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance in the world, according to the observations of scientists from the Mexican university UNAM.
Another dangerous consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic
According to the EFE agency, Dr. Samuel Ponce de Leon, who is part of the team investigating the effect of drugs on patients suffering from COVID-19, the risk of excessive antibiotic resistance may result from the frequent failure to adapt these drugs to the treatment undertaken in people infected with the coronavirus.
An employee of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) explained that his team’s observations showed that antibiotics are overused in treating people with COVID-19.
«Their use is excessive. We estimate that over 90 percent. of [infected] patients receive one or more antibiotics which are in fact unnecessary for the treatment of the sick person, ”said Ponce de Leon.
Over-zealous approach to antibiotics
The Mexican scientist explained that the phenomenon of “overzealous” approach by doctors to people who have symptoms of COVID-19 is manifested, among others, by the fact that the vast majority of doctors prescribe an antibiotic to a patient, even when the patient has not yet received test results confirming the presence of the coronavirus.
Ponce de Leon added that azithromycin is the antibiotic that is usually abused by doctors to treat people infected with the coronavirus.
“Meanwhile, it is an antibiotic, the beneficial effects of which on the body of a person infected with coronavirus have not yet been thoroughly confirmed,” he noted.
Antibiotic resistance occurs with bacterial strains that are able to resist the antibiotic’s effect. Some of them have this inborn trait, while others acquire it through resistance genes from other bacteria or through spontaneous mutations.
Very often, antibiotic resistance appears with incorrect and irrational therapy with these drugs.
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Author: sat/ agt/ (PAP)