Antimicrobial resistance – planning pathways

This interactive diagram provides a selection of pathways that allow for different approaches and starting points using resources about microorganisms, the immune system and antimicrobial resistance. The aim is to assist educators with their planning of lessons and units of work by providing options that cover multiple science concepts. This interactive uses selected resources – additional resources are curated in our article Antimicrobial resistance explained.

The article Antimicrobial resistance – a context for learning provides pedagogical suggestions and links to the New Zealand Curriculum.

To use this interactive, move your mouse or finger over any of the labelled boxes and click to obtain more information.

Transcript

History of antibiotics

Before Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, infections could lead to death, and common diseases such as pneumonia were fatal. During the First World War, one-third of soldiers died from infection or disease.

Penicillin – the first modern antibiotic – was discovered in 1928. The 1940s–1960s are considered ‘the golden age’ of antibiotics due to multiple antibiotic discoveries. However, soon after their discovery, bacteria started developing resistance, and the effectiveness of many antibiotics was reduced or even lost.

To compound this further, new antibiotic discovery has fallen away, meaning if we don’t use antibiotics carefully to reduce antibiotic resistance we may return to an age where infections are not readily treated and surgeries, including open-heart surgery or hip replacements, may be too dangerous to undertake.

The following resources provide information about the history of antibiotic discovery and resistance development.

Articles

The history of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance explained
Fighting infection – timeline
Resistance: When antibiotics don’t work – School Journal article

Media

Antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance – a timeline – interactive timeline
How bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics – video

Image: Professor Alexander Fleming, who first discovered the mould Penicillium notatum, at his laboratory in London (1943). Public Domain.

Protecting our future – slowing the spread

Preventing infection and controlling disease is one of the best actions we can take to slow the development of antibiotic resistance. Prevention can be achieved through measures such as vaccination, good hygiene and only using antibiotics when needed and as prescribed. These principles apply to people, pets and livestock.

Articles

Media

MPI antimicrobial resistance – for pet owners – YouTube video (Ministry for Primary Industries)
Antimicrobial resistance – YouTube video (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
How to help slow the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria – video

Image: Illustration of antibiotic resistance in pets, Ministry for Primary Industries.

Immune system and treatments

The immune system consists of cells, tissues and organs that work together to protect us from infection.

Articles

Activities

Collection curations

Image: T helper cell response to virus infection.

Background – microorganisms

The main microorganisms in and on our bodies are protozoa, algae, fungi, bacteria and viruses. Most microorganisms are beneficial – for example, there are microorganisms in our large intestine that synthesise vitamins and allow them to be absorbed into the bloodstream. However, a tiny minority are pathogens. These pathogens, often called germs or bugs, are a threat to all life forms.

Articles

Activities

Image: Medical illustration of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, by Jennifer Oosthuizen for the CDC. Public domain.

AMR – mechanisms and spread

Any time antibiotics are used, they can contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is driven by a combination of exposure of bacteria to antibiotics, the spread of those resistant bacteria or the spread of the genes that code for resistance to other bacteria. If too many antibiotics are being used unnecessarily or misused, usefulness of these important drugs is threatened.

Everyone has a role to play in improving antibiotic use. Appropriate antibiotic use helps fight antimicrobial resistance and ensures these life-saving drugs will be available for future generations.

Articles