The widespread use of antibiotics has led to a global public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The widespread misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human health, animal husbandry, and agriculture have fuelled the global public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance. This ‘Silent Pandemic’ poses a catastrophic threat, with recent projections estimating millions of deaths annually by 2050 if current trends continue. This review explores a range of promising alternatives to combat bacterial infections, including antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophage therapy, and the use of immunomodulators and vaccines. It also discusses the roles of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics in improving animal and human health. The paper further examines emerging technologies such as nanoparticles and quorum-sensing inhibitors, as well as the potential of artificial intelligence in accelerating the discovery of new antimicrobial agents. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of a holistic “One Health” approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, as a framework for managing and mitigating the threat of AMR.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Antibiotic Alternatives, Bacteriophage Therapy, Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs), One Health, Quorum Sensing, Nanoparticles, Phytobiotics
© The Author(s) 2026. Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License which permits unrestricted use, sharing, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
