UPSC Prelims 2019 Q98: Science & Technology – Health & Diseases
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 3 and 4
- (d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) in Microbial Pathogens: Actual Drivers
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genetic predisposition of some people | FALSE | MDR is a property of the pathogen, not the human host. Human genetics may affect susceptibility to infection or drug metabolism, but does NOT cause pathogens to become multi-drug resistant. |
| 2 | Incorrect doses of antibiotics | TRUE | Under-dosing, incomplete courses and inappropriate prescription select for resistant strains - one of the biggest drivers of MDR globally (WHO Global Action Plan on AMR). |
| 3 | Antibiotics in livestock farming | TRUE | Sub-therapeutic antibiotic use as growth promoters and prophylactics in poultry/cattle/aquaculture creates a massive resistance reservoir that spills into humans via food, water and environment - the One Health concern. |
| 4 | Multiple chronic diseases in some people | FALSE | Chronic disease increases individual vulnerability but does NOT cause pathogens to acquire multi-drug resistance. |
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Genetic predisposition of humans (S1) does not cause MDR in pathogens - MDR is a microbial property. Statement 3 (livestock antibiotics) is a major driver and is missed here.
- (b) CORRECT. Incorrect antibiotic dosing (S2) and antibiotic use in livestock farming (S3) are the two central drivers of MDR in microbial pathogens - captured in the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR and India's NAP-AMR 2017.
- (c) Incorrect. Statements 1 (human genetics) and 4 (chronic disease) are not drivers of pathogen MDR.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 4 (chronic disease) is not a driver of pathogen MDR.
Key point
MDR is a property of the PATHOGEN. Real drivers: incorrect antibiotic dosing (S2) + livestock antibiotic overuse (S3). Human genetics and chronic disease affect the host, not the pathogen.
Remember
Multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens is caused primarily by incorrect antibiotic dosing (incomplete courses, wrong drug) and by antibiotic use in livestock farming (growth promoters, prophylactics). Human genetic predisposition and multiple chronic diseases in individuals do NOT cause pathogens to become multi-drug resistant - those are host factors, not microbial ones.
Common mistakes
- Confusing host susceptibility factors (human genetics, chronic disease) with drivers of pathogen resistance.
- Ignoring the One Health / livestock antibiotic angle - a very large fraction of global antibiotic use is in animal agriculture.
- Assuming MDR arises only from clinical mis-prescription - environmental antibiotic residues and hospital transmission also matter.
Exam tip
AMR drivers (One Health lens): (i) Over-prescription and self-medication. (ii) Incomplete/incorrect antibiotic courses. (iii) OTC antibiotic sales. (iv) Sub-therapeutic livestock antibiotic use. (v) Hospital-acquired transmission. (vi) Antibiotic residues in water/soil. India's NAP-AMR 2017 and the Chennai Declaration target several of these.
Sources
- WHO - Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2015)
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare - National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR, 2017)