Antibiotic Resistance: Biological Causes and Global Challenges

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as one of the most serious global public health challenges of the twenty-first century. It occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms that reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of antibiotics, making common infections increasingly difficult to treat. the biological causes of antibiotic resistance, focusing on genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and selective pressure resulting from the widespread and often inappropriate use of antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary practice, and agriculture. the global dimensions of antibiotic resistance, highlighting its impact on healthcare systems, disease control, and mortality worldwide. Factors such as over prescription, self-medication, lack of regulatory oversight, and poor infection control practices contribute to the rapid spread of resistant strains across borders. antibiotic resistance is not only a biological problem but also a social, economic, and policy challenge. It concludes by stressing the need for coordinated global strategies, including responsible antibiotic use, improved surveillance, public awareness, and investment in new antimicrobial therapies, to effectively combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.