LAUSR

Infectious diseases contribute to high morbidity and mortality of humans since times immemorial. Their potential to spread has resulted in epidemics and even pandemics of cholera, influenza, tuberculosis and plague. Their spread within the hospitals causing hospital-acquired infections in the growing population of susceptible hosts (e.g., those with cancer, autoimmune diseases and organ transplants) is another major concern for medical professionals. Apart from well-recognized bacterial diseases, we also have viral diseases (dengue, chikungunya, viral encephalitis), fungal infections (candidiasis), parasitic infections (malaria, echinococcosis, trypanosomiasis, taeniasis, schistosomiasis), and now emerging and re-emerging diseases. The exact burden of these diseases in the developing countries, including India, is unknown due to under-diagnosis, under-reporting and the lack of appropriate diagnostic facilities. Two major landmarks in the history of communicable diseases have been ‘hygiene revolution’ in the western world in early 19th century (‘Swachh Bharat’ in India 200 years later), and the discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century. However, the development of antimicrobial resistance (natural and induced) and lack of development of new molecules (discovery void) have led us to a post-antibiotic era of antimicrobial resistance in microbes – a matter of great public health concern leading to increased morbidity, mortality and increased healthcare costs. This has caught the attention of world community of medical professionals, economists, social scientists and various political bodies, including United Nations.