Publication
Title
Antimicrobial resistance : a global view from the 2013 World Healthcare-Associated Infections Forum
Author
Institution/Organisation
World Healthcare-Associated Infections Forum Participants
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now a global threat. Its emergence rests on antimicrobial overuse in humans and food-producing animals; globalization and suboptimal infection control facilitate its spread. While aggressive measures in some countries have led to the containment of some resistant gram-positive organisms, extensively resistant gram-negative organisms such as carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae and pan-resistant Acinetobacter spp. continue their rapid spread. Antimicrobial conservation/stewardship programs have seen some measure of success in reducing antimicrobial overuse in humans, but their reach is limited to acute-care settings in high-income countries. Outside the European Union, there is scant or no oversight of antimicrobial administration to food-producing animals, while evidence mounts that this administration leads directly to resistant human infections. Both horizontal and vertical infection control measures can interrupt transmission among humans, but many of these are costly and essentially limited to high-income countries as well. Novel antimicrobials are urgently needed; in recent decades pharmaceutical companies have largely abandoned antimicrobial discovery and development given their high costs and low yield. Against this backdrop, international and cross-disciplinary collaboration appears to be taking root in earnest, although specific strategies still need defining. Educational programs targeting both antimicrobial prescribers and consumers must be further developed and supported. The general public must continue to be made aware of the current scale of AMRs threat, and must perceive antimicrobials as they are: a non-renewable and endangered resource.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Antimicrobial resistance & infection control. - London, 2012, currens
Publication
London : Biomed Central , 2013
ISSN
2047-2994
DOI
10.1186/2047-2994-2-31
Volume/pages
2 (2013) , p. 1-13
Article Reference
31
ISI
000209550700030
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 14.08.2014
Last edited 25.05.2022
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