Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a big problem when it comes to bacterial infections. Here are some main reasons why this happens:

1. Enzymatic Degradation:

   • Some bacteria can make special enzymes, like beta-lactamases. These enzymes break down certain antibiotics called β-lactam antibiotics. Because of this, about 30-50% of some bacteria types are resistant to these drugs.

2. Target Modification:

   • Bacteria can change their drug targets, which are the parts of the bacteria that antibiotics attack. For example, in a type of bacteria called MRSA, changes in something called penicillin-binding proteins help them resist treatment. More than 60% of MRSA strains are now resistant because of this.

3. Efflux Pumps:

   • Some bacteria have built-in pumps that push antibiotics out of their cells. This makes the medicine less effective because there’s not enough of it inside the bacteria. A common bacteria that uses these pumps is Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

4. Porin Deletion:

   • Bacteria can also lose tiny openings in their outer membrane called porins. These openings let antibiotics enter the bacteria. When E. coli loses these porins, it can resist a strong type of antibiotic called carbapenems.

AMR is a serious issue that affects health worldwide. It causes about 700,000 deaths each year because of infections that don’t respond to drugs.