Is antibiotic resistance reversible?

Probably not because bacteria evolve, which means we need new drugs to treat infections that were once easy to combat. While we may not be able to completely reverse antibiotic resistance, we can take steps to slow the process, such as limiting our use of antibiotics in humans and animals and prioritising optimal infection control systems in health care facilities.

In addition, emerging research suggests that we may be able to tackle resistance through the use of antibiotic-resistance breakers (ARBs). These medications ‘re-sensitise’ microbes that are resistant to standard treatment options. Promising early trials have shown efficacy against the superbug Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).