{"id":13147,"date":"2026-02-15T16:36:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T12:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/ukhilavi-pandemia-antibiotikorezistentoba-da-baqteriophagebis-roli-2026-tsels\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T18:33:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T14:33:49","slug":"ukhilavi-pandemia-antibiotikorezistentoba-da-baqteriophagebis-roli-2026-tsels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/ukhilavi-pandemia-antibiotikorezistentoba-da-baqteriophagebis-roli-2026-tsels\/","title":{"rendered":"The &#8220;Silent Pandemic&#8221;: Antibiotic Resistance and the Georgian Response"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-path-to-node=\"5\">For decades, antibiotics were considered the &#8220;miracle cure&#8221; of modern medicine. They significantly reduced mortality from infectious diseases and enabled complex surgeries, transplants, and intensive care. However, in the second half of the 21st century, humanity faces a new, invisible threat\u2014<b data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"294\">Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)<\/b>, often called the &#8220;silent pandemic.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/13-10-2025-who-warns-of-widespread-resistance-to-common-antibiotics-worldwide?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">According to 2025 WHO data<\/a>, every sixth laboratory-confirmed bacterial infection worldwide is already resistant to standard antibiotics. The IHME estimates that AMR-associated deaths exceeded 1.14 million in 2021 and could rise to 2 million annually by 2050.<\/p>\n<div class=\"attachment-container search-images\">\n<div class=\"image-container ng-star-inserted\" data-full-size-image-uri=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com\/licensed-image?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0gYTbeBYn5OouBaOleyRKcahVigQwGFlrQjJK5MHqEY-z9lzRo4x-R7zEvp2HjdLRZOwytN8_rOwx-CNUnHBQokp2l7ZstqP5uEpoFLGH8308vsY\">\n<div class=\"overlay-container ng-star-inserted\"><button class=\"image-button ng-star-inserted\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"licensed-image loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com\/licensed-image?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0gYTbeBYn5OouBaOleyRKcahVigQwGFlrQjJK5MHqEY-z9lzRo4x-R7zEvp2HjdLRZOwytN8_rOwx-CNUnHBQokp2l7ZstqP5uEpoFLGH8308vsY\" alt=\"antibiotic resistance mechanism in bacteria-\u10d8\u10e1 \u10e1\u10e3\u10e0\u10d0\u10d7\u10d8\" \/><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"licensed-image-source ng-star-inserted\"><span class=\"label ellipsis gds-body-s\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-tag ng-star-inserted\"><span class=\"label ellipsis gds-body-s\">\u10d2\u10d0\u10ea\u10dc\u10dd\u10d1\u10d0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8\">Against this global backdrop, Georgian medicine quietly but proudly offers its contribution. Currently, infectious disease specialist <b data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"134\">Mariam Gulua<\/b> and therapist <b data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"161\">Mariam Dadiani<\/b> from the Eliava Phage Therapy Center discuss the severity of resistance and the unique potential of the future.<\/p>\n<h4 data-path-to-node=\"9\">What Drives Antibiotic Resistance?<\/h4>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"10\">Dr. Mariam Gulua identifies several key factors:<\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"11\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"11\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"11,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Overuse and Misuse:<\/b> Particularly during viral infections (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic), where antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Premature Cessation of Treatment:<\/b> Stopping medication as soon as symptoms improve allows the strongest bacteria to survive and evolve.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"11,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Agriculture:<\/b> Antibiotics used for growth stimulation in livestock create reservoirs of resistant bacteria that enter the human food chain.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11,3,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"11,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Weak Hospital Control:<\/b> Poor sterilization and hand hygiene facilitate the spread of &#8220;superbugs.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11,4,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"11,4,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Natural Evolution:<\/b> Bacteria are highly adaptable. As Louis Pasteur said, &#8220;The role of the infinitely small in nature is infinitely great.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"attachment-container search-images\">\n<div class=\"image-container ng-star-inserted\" data-full-size-image-uri=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com\/licensed-image?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdVzJ7BRxxYsD6v7nVP9oiIXpoPlsNYXs0tXXjMnrdUh9hPKSNejK4Y17TS3jsumBLJjTDIH2brwIlyOb87Dr4tUztd3340VCw3PbYoQdIbUgHsDc\">\n<div class=\"overlay-container ng-star-inserted\"><button class=\"image-button ng-star-inserted\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"licensed-image loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com\/licensed-image?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdVzJ7BRxxYsD6v7nVP9oiIXpoPlsNYXs0tXXjMnrdUh9hPKSNejK4Y17TS3jsumBLJjTDIH2brwIlyOb87Dr4tUztd3340VCw3PbYoQdIbUgHsDc\" alt=\"bacterial conjugation and gene transfer-\u10d8\u10e1 \u10e1\u10e3\u10e0\u10d0\u10d7\u10d8\" \/><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"licensed-image-source ng-star-inserted\"><span class=\"label ellipsis gds-body-s\">Shutterstock<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-tag ng-star-inserted\"><span class=\"label ellipsis gds-body-s\">\u10d2\u10d0\u10ea\u10dc\u10dd\u10d1\u10d0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4 data-path-to-node=\"13\">Bacteriophages: The &#8220;Forgotten Future&#8221;<\/h4>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"14\">Dr. Mariam Dadiani explains that bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that specifically target and destroy &#8220;bad&#8221; bacteria. Discovered before antibiotics, they were sidelined after Alexander Fleming\u2019s discovery of penicillin. Now, 100 years later, global interest has been reignited.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"15\"><b data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Can phages replace antibiotics?<\/b> &#8220;Phages will not fully replace antibiotics,&#8221; says Dadiani. Antibiotics remain vital for acute cases where immediate results are needed. However, phages are superior for:<\/p>\n<ol start=\"1\" data-path-to-node=\"16\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Chronic infections<\/b> where antibiotics have failed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Biofilm-associated infections<\/b> (e.g., prosthetics, fistulas).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"16,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Cases with severe antibiotic allergies.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"17\"><b data-path-to-node=\"17\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Advantages of Phages:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"18\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"18,0,0\">High specificity (they don&#8217;t kill &#8220;good&#8221; gut bacteria).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"18,1,0\">Minimal side effects.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"18,2,0\">Ability to create &#8220;custom&#8221; phages for specific resistant strains using the Eliava Institute&#8217;s century-old library.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 data-path-to-node=\"19\">International Interest and State Role<\/h4>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"20\">Patients from over 80 countries (USA, Germany, France, etc.) travel to Georgia as a &#8220;last hope.&#8221; While Western countries are slowly adopting phages under &#8220;compassionate use&#8221; regulations, Georgia holds a unique leadership position that requires state support and GMP-standard upgrades to maintain its competitive edge.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"20\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/overcoming-antibiotic-resistance-through-genomic-engineering-methods\/\">for more treatment options read<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For decades, antibiotics were considered the &#8220;miracle cure&#8221; of modern medicine. They significantly reduced mortality from infectious diseases and enabled complex surgeries, transplants, and intensive care. However, in the second half of the 21st century, humanity faces a new, invisible threat\u2014Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), often called the &#8220;silent pandemic.&#8221; According to 2025 WHO data, every sixth [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":13148,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1594],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13147"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13152,"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13147\/revisions\/13152"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medscriptum.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}