Report
Note: Workshop Summaries contain the opinion of the presenters, but do NOT reflect the conclusions of the IOM. Learn more about the differences between Workshop Summaries and Consensus Reports.
For decades it seemed as if modern medicine had conquered many of the infectious diseases that once threatened human and animal health. But years of using, misusing, and overusing antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs have led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant "superbugs." Some strains of bacteria and viruses are now resistant to all but a single drug, while others have no effective treatments at all.
The IOM’s Forum on Microbial Threats held a public workshop April 6-7 to discuss the nature and sources of drug-resistant bacteria and viruses and their implications for global health. Speakers explored the evolutionary, genetic, and ecological origins of antimicrobial drug resistance and its effects on human and animal health worldwide. Participants discussed the causes of drug resistance; strategies for extending the life of antimicrobial drugs; alternative approaches for treating infections; incentives and disincentives for prudent antimicrobial drug use; and prospects for the next generation of antimicrobial treatments. This document summarizes the workshop.
Other Reports by this Activity
Displaying: 3 of 28 Reports
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The Science and Applications of Synthetic and Systems Biology - Workshop Summary
The completion of the initial draft of the human genome sequence in 2001 represented a fundamental shift in the way biology was studied, and allowed for vast post-genomic possibilities. Until the past decade, the work was often painstakingly slow; however, new strategies combining engineering and biological techniques have enhanced researchers' abilities. These new synthetic techniques allow for genes and long chains of DNA to be designed and manufactured from scratch using a computer and relevant chemical compounds, rather than manipulating pieces of existing genes from living cells. The IOM’s Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop March 14-15, 2011 to explore the scientific and policy dimensions of recent developments in genetic engineering and their applications to emerging infectious diseases.
Released: November 23, 2011
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Fungal Diseases: An Emerging Threat To Human, Animal, and Plant Health - Workshop Summary
Fungal diseases have contributed to death and disability in humans, triggered global wildlife extinctions and population declines, devastated agricultural crops, and altered forest ecosystem dynamics. Despite the extensive influence of fungi on health and economic well-being, the threats posed by emerging fungal pathogens to life on Earth are often underappreciated and poorly understood. On December 14 and 15, 2010, the IOM’s Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop to explore the scientific and policy dimensions associated with the causes and consequences of emerging fungal diseases.
Released: September 9, 2011
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