Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? 1. Genetic predisposition of some people 2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases 3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming 4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1, 3 and 4
- (d) 2, 3 and 4
Why the answer is (b)
• Antimicrobial resistance arises in microbes that are exposed to antibiotics under conditions that let resistant strains survive and spread.
• Taking incorrect doses or incomplete courses of antibiotics (2) lets partially resistant bacteria survive and multiply; easy over-the-counter access makes this common in India.
• Use of antibiotics as growth promoters and for prophylaxis in livestock and poultry farming (3) breeds resistant strains that reach humans through food and the environment.
• Genetic predisposition of people (1) and the presence of multiple chronic diseases (4) do not by themselves create resistance in microbes; it is the misuse of antibiotics that does.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b), as in the official UPSC key.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2
- Item 1 is not a cause, and item 3 is left out.
- (c) 1, 3 and 4
- Items 1 and 4 are not causes, and item 2 is left out.
- (d) 2, 3 and 4
- Item 4 is not by itself a cause of microbial resistance.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.