Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health crisis that is seen as a critical threat by major health organisations. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists AMR as one of the top ten threats to global health, alongside air pollution and climate change.
It’s a huge problem and there is a need for urgent, massive action. But try not to feel overwhelmed – your part in the solution might be simpler than you think! Incorporating probiotic cleaning and pet care products into your daily routines can help to reduce AMR and the development of ‘superbugs’ in your local environment. Let’s explore more in our latest news post.
What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
Understanding AMR
Antimicrobial resistance (known as AMR for short) occurs when pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to withstand the treatments that once killed them. The pathogens become stronger and mutate, becoming “superbugs” that are resistant to certain antibiotics, pharmaceuticals and chemical and antibacterial cleaning agents.

For instance, MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) used to be treatable with penicillin. However, due to over prescription in the mid-20th century, MRSA is now resistant to the entire group of antibiotics called beta-lactams, including penicillin, methicillin, and amoxicillin.
Why is antimicrobial resistance so dangerous?
The consequences of AMR
AMR is causing a growing global crisis of hospital-acquired and multi-drug-resistant infections. It is behind much unnecessary suffering, many untimely deaths and immense costs. It is responsible for millions of fatalities each year, with bacterial AMR directly causing 1.27 million deaths globally and contributing to 4.95 million deaths in 2019 (The Lancet).
Scary statistic: the WHO believe that AMR threatens to send modern medicine back decades to the pre-antibiotic era when even routine surgeries were hazardous. Without change, AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths every year by 2050.

… and antibiotic resistance in children – where bacterial infections do not respond to antibiotics – is on the rise.
AMR is also a huge economic burden. It increases a myriad of healthcare costs: Routine surgeries and treatments are riskier due to the threat of untreatable infections, and it increases the length of hospital stays, and the need for intensive care and more expensive drugs.
Read more: Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS).

Global Deaths Due to AMR
- 2019: 1.27 million deaths
- 2050 (Projected): 10 million deaths
Economic Cost
- 2019: $100 billion USD
- 2050 (Projected): $300 billion USD
Increase in Hospital Stays
- 2019: 20%
- 2050 (Projected): 30%
What causes antimicrobial resistance?
Key drivers of AMR
The Lancet says that the main drivers of AMR include:
- Overuse and misuse of antibiotics: Incorrectly prescribing antibiotics for viral infections; people not completing the course
- Antibiotic use in livestock: The massive use of antibiotics for disease prevention and growth promotion in animals. Resistant bacteria can also transfer from animals to humans through direct contact or consumption of animal products
- Socioeconomic factors: Poverty, poor healthcare infrastructure, lack of clean water, and inadequate sanitation.
- Environmental conditions: Climate such as high temperatures and high pollution can influence the spread and survival of resistant bacteria.
- Underlying health conditions: Conditions like obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption increase infection risks.

The WHO says that
“The rise of AMR stems from myriad factors that have come together to create a terrifying brew, including unregulated prescription and use of antibiotics, lack of access to quality and affordable medicines, and lack of clean water, sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention and control.”
The Impact of COVID-19 on AMR
How the pandemic made AMR worse
The COVID-19 pandemic sent the world scrambling for the chemical disinfectants, biocides, and antibacterial soaps to prevent the virus from spreading. Unfortunately, this unprecedented rise in biocide use inadvertently accelerated AMR existing issues with anti-microbial resistance.

The law of unintended consequences…
With all eyes on Covid, drug-resistant infections surged. Increased antibiotic use for secondary bacterial infections, plus greater steroid use added to the problem.
How does antimicrobial resistance (AMR) develop in microbes?
The science behind microbial interaction and resistance
The microbiome is the bustling community of microorganisms – probiotic (beneficial) and pathogenic (harmful) bacteria, viruses and parasite – that live on our skin, on various surfaces, in soil, and in water. For more information on the microbiome, check out our article, “Microbiome in a Bottle – The Role of Surface Microbiomes.”
The problem with traditional cleaning agents
Conventional chemical, antibacterial, and synthetic cleaning agents are designed to kill bacteria. However, they do not distinguish between good (probiotic) and bad (pathogenic) bacteria, and indiscriminately eliminate 99.9% of all bacteria. This non-selective destruction poses a significant problem.
The rapid return of harmful bacteria
When even one harmful bacterium survives, it can quickly multiply, sometimes restoring its original population within just twenty minutes. This allows the harmful bacteria to outnumber and overpower the beneficial probiotics. These harmful bacteria, unchallenged by probiotics, evolve, mutate, and become stronger. They develop a protective shield and gain resistance to certain cleaning agents and antibiotics.
The vicious cycle of resistance
Using stronger cleaning agents may seem like a solution, but actually exacerbates the problem. Each use makes the bacteria more resistant, gradually reducing the effectiveness of these cleaning agents. This cycle disrupts the natural balance of the environment, leading to a rise in resistant superbugs.

Understanding how ‘superbugs’ develop is essential for creating better cleaning solutions that preserve the microbiome’s delicate balance and prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.
The probiotic bacteria in our Provilan pet care and cleaning products do NOT mutate and do not develop resistance.
Working towards a world free from AMR
Comprehensive approach to tackling AMR
Protecting the medicines that protect health is crucial. The WHO advocates for a comprehensive strategy that encompasses:
- Education and Training: Raising awareness about proper antibiotic use and the dangers of AMR.
- Improved Healthcare Infrastructure: Strengthening infection prevention and control, especially in low and middle income countries.
- Regulation: Implementing stringent antibiotic use regulations in humans and animals.
- Research and Development: Investing in new antibiotics and alternative treatments.
- Socioeconomic Development: Addressing poverty and improving sanitation to reduce the need for antibiotics.

What you can do:
The good news! It’s not all ‘doom and gloom’…
Simply choosing probiotic pet care and cleaning products over chemicals also helps reduce AMR. They work at a microbial level and maintain ecological balance without causing resistance.
Harnessing beneficial bacteria
The role of probiotics in reducing AMR
Our eco-friendly Provilan pet care and cleaning products are jam packed with probiotics – ‘good’ bacteria that are one of nature’s most potent allies.
They work using a natural, mechanic process called bio-competition. Large quantities of beneficial probiotic bacteria compete with harmful bacteria for resources like food, space, and oxygen. The probiotics simply outnumber and outcompete the harmful bacteria, until there is no further pathogenic activity. This safe, mechanical action does not create mutation of pathogens or antimicrobial resistance. This makes probiotic products a sustainable long-term solution.

Probiotics are key because they work in a safe, mechanical way that reduces AMR.
Probiotic products help to maintain a balanced microbial environment. They selectively target and reduce harmful bacteria, preventing the development of resistant superbugs, preventing the growth of resistant superbugs.
Choosing topical probiotic pet care and probiotic cleaning products is a simple yet impactful step towards reducing antimicrobial resistance. It means you are taking an active role in reducing AMR and promoting long-term health.

Safeguarding future generations
Integrating probiotic products into your daily routine not only gives you a healthier home environment for your family and pets, it also contributes to the global effort to reduce AMR. You also help to protect the effectiveness of essential medicines for future generations.
Make the switch to probiotic cleaning products
Meet our Provilan probiotic cleaning and ‘spray on’ pet care products

For Your Home: Use EVAA+ Home Cleaning products to simply replace your common household cleaners with probiotic versions of surface cleaners, floor cleaners, and air fresheners, hand soap and more. Regular use helps to create a healthier home environment, especially in households with older adults, pets or young children.

For Your Pet: Use the LUCAA+ probiotic pet care shampoo, ear, eye and dental cleaners and skin care sprays to maintain your pet’s microbiome and general health. This also helps to prevent infections and can reduce the need for antibiotics in pets.
Conclusion: Take action against antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis, recognized by major health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten threats to global health. With potentially catastrophic consequences, including millions of deaths and astronomical healthcare costs, the urgency to act is clear. But don’t feel overwhelmed – your role in reducing AMR is simpler than you might think.
Key takeaways
- Understanding AMR: Pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist treatments, creating “superbugs” that are difficult to eliminate with conventional methods.
- Dangers of AMR: AMR leads to increased hospital stays, higher medical costs, and a significant number of deaths annually. The situation could worsen, with projections suggesting up to 10 million deaths per year by 2050.
- Causes of AMR: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics, antibiotic use in livestock, socioeconomic factors, and environmental conditions all contribute to the rise of AMR.
- COVID-19 impact: The pandemic’s increased use of disinfectants and antibiotics has accelerated the development of resistant bacteria.
Part of the solution: Probiotic products
Harness the power of probiotics to reduce AMR. Make the switch to probiotic cleaning and pet care products, a natural and effective solution.
Make the switch and start reducing your contribution to AMR today!
By incorporating probiotic products into your daily routine, you’ll play a role in reducing the spread of AMR. This small yet vital action can have a significant impact as more and more people make the change. This will help to ensure the effectiveness of essential medicines for future generations. Together, we can create a healthier, safer world.
Nest steps: Discover the Provilan ranges today and make a positive change for your home, your pets, and the planet.