One Health Perspectives for Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance

Injudicious and irrelevant use of antimicrobials for human health, hygiene, and in animal husbandry and allied fields has induced microbial resistance to wide-spectrum antimicrobials or antibiotics a condition referred to as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is challenging for scientists, researchers, and governments to tackle these situations via novel and effective approaches. The increase in the usage of antimicrobials in sectors of animal, aquatic, human, and environment has increased the cases of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. Major drivers of AMR in these sectors are found to be mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) that transfer horizontally from one health sector to another via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) affecting the whole food chain or food web. Considering the current situation of AMR, its emergence, and its prevalence, one health approach has been characterized as a collaborative effort by multiple sectors to develop effective solutions for humans, animals, and environmental health. According to the “One Health Initiative Task Force,” the one health strategy advocates for the collaboration of many disciplines working locally, regionally, and worldwide to achieve optimal health for humans, animals, and the environment. This chapter highlights the AMR as a global concern and the effects of excess use of antimicrobial drugs in each one health sectors with major resistance drivers. Furthermore, we discuss the initiated and effective one health strategies for combating AMR in human, animal, and environmental health. Finally, glimpses of the research gap in one health and antimicrobial resistance such as sector-specific financing, research and development investments, and AMR surveillance have been addressed.