The world is on the brink of a silent pandemic—one where currently treatable infections risk becoming once again life-threatening. This looming danger is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), a phenomenon where microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, evolve to resist the medications designed to kill them. Imagine a reality where a routine surgery could become fatal due to untreatable infections. AMR is an urgent global health concern, posing significant challenges for modern medicine and healthcare. 

Dr. Dao Nguyen, Associate Professor in McGill’s Department of Medicine and Director of the McGill AMR Centre, highlights the complexities of AMR, spreading awareness for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, which started Nov. 18.

“Antimicrobial resistance is a major and complicated issue. On a simple level, it affects individuals with infections, whether it’s something as common as an ear infection or more serious, like infections in immunocompromised patients in hospitals,” Nguyen said in an interview with The Tribune. “It’s like a perfect storm, where microbes have the ability to evolve and will continue to find new ways to resist the drugs we use against them.” 

Nguyen emphasizes that a major factor contributing to AMR is the overuse of antibiotics, particularly over the last 50 years. Antibiotics are not only used in hospitals but also in other environments such as farms and even the soil, which has led to an increasing presence of drug-resistant microbes in various settings. 

Another key issue is the lack of investment by pharmaceutical companies in the development of new antibiotics. Over the last two to three decades, companies have largely stopped investing in research on new antimicrobial medications. Nguyen warns that without the development of new tools to address these pathogens, the risks to public health will continue to intensify. 

AMR poses significant challenges globally, but the burden is disproportionately severe in low-and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, and certain regions of Europe. These areas often lack the resources to manage the spread of resistant microbes effectively. However, the interconnected nature of global health means that AMR is not confined to any one region. 

“It’s important to remember that microbes move with the people who carry them. Similar to the way COVID-19 spread, a problem that initially appears localized, such as in Africa, for example, can quickly spread and cause outbreaks in more resourced countries,” Nguyen said. “This rapid movement makes AMR a global concern, as issues in one region can easily impact others.” 

In Canada, while AMR is less severe compared to some global hotspots, it is far from negligible. 

“A quarter of infections that Canadians get are due to bacteria that are resistant to the first choice of antibiotic that your doctor would give you,” Nguyen explained. This means doctors must resort to second- or third-line treatments, which are often more expensive, less accessible, and carry greater side effects for patients. 

Upon recognizing the growing threat of AMR, institutions like the McGill AMR Centre are taking steps to address this challenge. Established in 2021, the Centre confronts this complex issue through interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach. Nguyen emphasized that the Centre seeks to bridge diverse fields—microbiology, engineering, and medicine—to foster collaborations that drive innovative solutions.

“One of the areas of focus is trying to support projects that are ready to become a technology that is ready to be translated into something very concrete and in the real world,” Nguyen explained. “So for example, it could be a new therapy, a new diagnostic test […] and supporting a more entrepreneurial type of research.”

Researchers are collaborating with the McGill Innovation Fund to support teams focused on developing practical, real-world solutions. Their goal is to translate academic research into initiatives that have the potential for commercialization or significant tangible impact. 

The fight against AMR requires immediate and collective action. As World Antimicrobial Awareness Week nears, it serves as a critical reminder that combating AMR is a shared responsibility. By using antibiotics responsibly, supporting scientific advancements, and advocating for better healthcare policies, together we can contribute to curbing the silent pandemic.