Pathogenesis and Economic Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance in Primary Care
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Health Economics Unit, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Corresponding Author: Islam R, Doctus Journal of Microbiology & Immunology.
Abstract
Most antibiotic prescribing occurs in primary care, yet resistance policy and costing studies concentrate on hospital settings. This review links the microbiological mechanisms selected for by community prescribing - chiefly plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase spread and efflux upregulation in commensal flora - to their downstream economic consequences. Drawing on published cost models, we estimate that each avoidable community prescription carries a delayed system cost several times its acquisition price, realised as second-line therapy, repeat consultation and eventual hospitalisation. We review which stewardship interventions have demonstrated effect in ambulatory settings, and conclude that delayed-prescription strategies and point-of-care testing show the most consistent return.
Keywords
Antimicrobial Resistance; Primary Care; Antibiotic Stewardship; Health Economics; Beta-Lactamase; Prescribing Behaviour
How to Cite
Islam R, Chatterjee S and Roy N. “Pathogenesis and Economic Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance in Primary Care”. Doctus Journal of Microbiology & Immunology 1.1 (2026): 22-37.
Copyright and Licence
© 2026 Islam R. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.