Absolument, que cela soit en Afrique ou ailleurs, il n'y a pas que la résistance aux antibiotiques, mais aussi à d'autres antimicrobiens.
C’est la raison pour laquelle la 2 question du Forum est comment mettre aussi en exergue les autres types de résistance. Et j’ai répondu en anglais disant qu'il est très important maintenant de parler d'antimicrobiens et résistance aux antimicrobiens que de mettre souvent en exergue la résistance aux antibiotiques. Si l’on veut même considérer la définition originale d'un antibiotique (produit à partir d’un microorganisme contre un autre microorganisme, ex: la pénicilline), beaucoup de molécules considérer ajourd'hui comme antibiotiques parce qu’utiliser pour traiter des infections bactériennes ne sont pas vraiment des antibiotiques mais des antimicrobiens car synthétiques ou semi-synthétiques. Sans oublier qu'un petit nombre d’antibiotiques est efficaces contre certains parasites microscopiques. Donc il est plus nécessaire de vraiment de parler d'antimicrobiens, surtout dans les campagnes de sensibilisation générales. Maintenant, pour la sensibilisation de personnels techniques et d’experts dans le domaine de la santé, la recherche scientifique et l’éducation, on peut faire la différentiation claire avec les termes techniques.
Thank you Dr Dolo.
Absolutely, whether in Africa or elsewhere, there is not only resistance to antibiotics, but also to other antimicrobials.
This is the reason why the 2nd question of the Forum is how to also highlight other types of resistance. And I replied in English saying that it is very important now to talk about antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance rather than to only highlight antibiotic resistance. If we even want to consider the original definition of an antibiotic (produced from a microorganism against another microorganism, ex: penicillin), many molecules considered today as antibiotics because they are used to treat infections bacteria, are not really antibiotics but synthetic or semi-synthetic antimicrobials. Not to mention that a small number of antibiotics are effective against certain microscopic parasites. So, there is more need to really talk about antimicrobials, especially in general awareness campaigns. Now, for the sensitization of technical personnel and experts in the field of health, scientific research and education, we can make a clear differentiation with the technical terms.
2. Elaborating further what I mentioned in my previous post on the issue raised in question 2, the use of the word ANTIMICROBIAL should be consistent especially for big AMR campaigns. For example it is more appropriate to refer to WAAW as World ANTIMICROBIAL Awareness Week than World ANTIBIOTIC Awareness Week. People will gradually get used to it. Thanks
Good morning to everyone and thanks to Chioma for the very elaborated and valuable contribution.
1. One challenge is the difficulty to translate technical words into simple statements that can be understood easily by people especially those who have "little" academic education. Explaining what a drug is, is easy, but explaining what a microorganism (microbe) or multi-resistant bacteria or superbug is, in a local language can be challenging. In this case, trying to differentiate technically between the different types of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.) would not be useful. One solution could be to discuss with local/ traditional therapist/healers to find adequate words to qualify disease-causing agents.
2. Keep the messages simple and just refer to ANTIMICROBIAL resistance. Most people including highly educated people but not in the field of e.g. microbiology, medicine (Vet, human, plant), public health, etc. do not differentiate between types of microorganisms and I doubt are interested in making a difference. When talking about ANTIBIOTICS, most people include everything. This is not appropriate indeed, but they cannot be not blamed if there are not in the field. Thus, an emphasis should be put on using consistently ANTIMICROBIAL and AMR as opposed to ANTIBIOTICS and ABR.
For the general public, one approach is to explain by difference in types of diseases that require different types of drugs for treatment. Also, emphasize that a drug for a specific disease may not be efficient in curing another type of disease because the causing agent is different, thus people should seek medical advice and not self-medicate.
For technical people, research, and academia, technical words for the different types of microorganisms should be used and awareness/ advocacy campaigns should be technical.
5. Adding on to what Chioma mentioned, feed producers should also be also priority targets as many feed products are formulated with antimicrobials.
Д-р. Irene OUOBA
English translation below
Merci Dr Dolo.
Absolument, que cela soit en Afrique ou ailleurs, il n'y a pas que la résistance aux antibiotiques, mais aussi à d'autres antimicrobiens.
C’est la raison pour laquelle la 2 question du Forum est comment mettre aussi en exergue les autres types de résistance. Et j’ai répondu en anglais disant qu'il est très important maintenant de parler d'antimicrobiens et résistance aux antimicrobiens que de mettre souvent en exergue la résistance aux antibiotiques. Si l’on veut même considérer la définition originale d'un antibiotique (produit à partir d’un microorganisme contre un autre microorganisme, ex: la pénicilline), beaucoup de molécules considérer ajourd'hui comme antibiotiques parce qu’utiliser pour traiter des infections bactériennes ne sont pas vraiment des antibiotiques mais des antimicrobiens car synthétiques ou semi-synthétiques. Sans oublier qu'un petit nombre d’antibiotiques est efficaces contre certains parasites microscopiques. Donc il est plus nécessaire de vraiment de parler d'antimicrobiens, surtout dans les campagnes de sensibilisation générales. Maintenant, pour la sensibilisation de personnels techniques et d’experts dans le domaine de la santé, la recherche scientifique et l’éducation, on peut faire la différentiation claire avec les termes techniques.
Thank you Dr Dolo.
Absolutely, whether in Africa or elsewhere, there is not only resistance to antibiotics, but also to other antimicrobials.
This is the reason why the 2nd question of the Forum is how to also highlight other types of resistance. And I replied in English saying that it is very important now to talk about antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance rather than to only highlight antibiotic resistance. If we even want to consider the original definition of an antibiotic (produced from a microorganism against another microorganism, ex: penicillin), many molecules considered today as antibiotics because they are used to treat infections bacteria, are not really antibiotics but synthetic or semi-synthetic antimicrobials. Not to mention that a small number of antibiotics are effective against certain microscopic parasites. So, there is more need to really talk about antimicrobials, especially in general awareness campaigns. Now, for the sensitization of technical personnel and experts in the field of health, scientific research and education, we can make a clear differentiation with the technical terms.
Д-р. Irene OUOBA
2. Elaborating further what I mentioned in my previous post on the issue raised in question 2, the use of the word ANTIMICROBIAL should be consistent especially for big AMR campaigns. For example it is more appropriate to refer to WAAW as World ANTIMICROBIAL Awareness Week than World ANTIBIOTIC Awareness Week. People will gradually get used to it. Thanks
Д-р. Irene OUOBA
Good morning to everyone and thanks to Chioma for the very elaborated and valuable contribution.
1. One challenge is the difficulty to translate technical words into simple statements that can be understood easily by people especially those who have "little" academic education. Explaining what a drug is, is easy, but explaining what a microorganism (microbe) or multi-resistant bacteria or superbug is, in a local language can be challenging. In this case, trying to differentiate technically between the different types of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.) would not be useful. One solution could be to discuss with local/ traditional therapist/healers to find adequate words to qualify disease-causing agents.
2. Keep the messages simple and just refer to ANTIMICROBIAL resistance. Most people including highly educated people but not in the field of e.g. microbiology, medicine (Vet, human, plant), public health, etc. do not differentiate between types of microorganisms and I doubt are interested in making a difference. When talking about ANTIBIOTICS, most people include everything. This is not appropriate indeed, but they cannot be not blamed if there are not in the field. Thus, an emphasis should be put on using consistently ANTIMICROBIAL and AMR as opposed to ANTIBIOTICS and ABR.
For the general public, one approach is to explain by difference in types of diseases that require different types of drugs for treatment. Also, emphasize that a drug for a specific disease may not be efficient in curing another type of disease because the causing agent is different, thus people should seek medical advice and not self-medicate.
For technical people, research, and academia, technical words for the different types of microorganisms should be used and awareness/ advocacy campaigns should be technical.
5. Adding on to what Chioma mentioned, feed producers should also be also priority targets as many feed products are formulated with antimicrobials.