SIMILARITY OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE MECHANISMS IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND ESCHERICHIA COLI: CONTROL STRATEGIES

Antimicrobial resistance constitutes one of the greatest challenges to public health, directly affecting treatment effectiveness and patient safety. Among the most relevant microorganisms in this context are Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, which share resistance mechanisms such as the production of inactivating enzymes, modification of action sites, efflux pump activity, and the formation of protective biofilms. This similarity highlights that isolated control strategies may be insufficient. The present study aimed to analyze, through a qualitative-quantitative systematic literature review, the convergences in the resistance mechanisms of these pathogens, as well as to discuss control strategies and the pharmacist’s role. The research was carried out between March and August 2025, using national and international databases (PubMed, Scielo, ScienceDirect, and Lilacs), resulting in the selection of 15 articles published between 2016 and 2025. Additionally, data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) were analyzed, referring to July 2025, which recorded 1,380 deaths from septicemia and bacterial meningitis in the Northeast Region, with the highest numbers in Pernambuco (392), Ceará (321), and Bahia (201), while Sergipe (45) and Piauí (41) showed the lowest values. The results indicated a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains, associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, in addition to the emergence of promising therapeutic alternatives such as probiotics, essential oils, and new antibiotic combinations. It is concluded that antimicrobial resistance in S. aureus and E. coli shows remarkable similarity, requiring integrated control approaches, epidemiological surveillance, and active participation of pharmacists in health promotion.