THE ROLE OF DIAGNOSTICS IN THE

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE RESPONSE

LONDON SCHOOL OF
HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE

WEEK 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE OF DIAGNOSTICS IN THE RESPONSE

TO AMR
STEP 1.5 MICROBES, COLONIZATION AND INFECTION

ROSANNA PEELING: What are microbes, and how do they cause infection?
Microbes are small living organisms that multiply rapidly. They include bacteria,
such as Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of skin infections; viruses,
such as the influenza virus, which causes the flu; fungi, such as Candida
albicans, which causes yeast infections; and parasites, such as Plasmodium
falciparum, which causes malaria. Not all microbes are harmful to humans.
Some bacteria live in our gut and help with food digestion. Others help with
food fermentation into production of beer, yoghurt, and cheese. Others can
cause food spoilage. And in fact, less than 1% of microbes cause infections in
humans.

In addition to microbes that directly cause infections, sometimes bacteria that

are found in our bodies can gain access to sterile body sites such as the
bladder and the bloodstream, and they cause infection. While the bacteria that
colonise our bodies do not need to be treated, these infections should be
treated with antibiotics.

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