Abstract

Antibiotics are known as “lifesaving drugs” and use for the treatment of infectious diseases. The use of antibiotics is not limited with the treatment of infectious diseases but also use prophylactically in other industries such as in livestock and agriculture. Unfortunately, due to extensive use of antibiotics, microbes develop resistance against antibiotics. Aim of the current review is to explore the history, causes, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and alternative to antibiotics by examining the available literature. Antibiotic resistance is rising at an alarming rate and a major threat to the public health. A significant association was found in the antibiotic resistant infections with the level of antibiotic consumption. Inappropriate prescription, lack of awareness among the people and excessive use in the agriculture and livestock sectors are the main causes which are responsible for the resistance of microbes to antibiotics. Various mechanisms are involved in the antibiotic resistance such as mutation in genes, horizontal genes transfer, reduced permeability, alterations in target sites and enzymatic degradation. Furthermore, alternate options i.e. Photodynamic antimicrobial therapy, probiotics, medicinal plants and nanoparticles etc. can be used in health care setups to combat the increasing antibiotic resistant infections.