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Antimicrobial resistance in developing countries. Part I: recent trends and current status
Iruka N Okeke1, Ramanan Laxminarayan, Zulfiqar A Bhutta
1Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, PA, USA.
The Lancet. Infectious Diseases
|July 29, 2005
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global crisis, especially in developing nations. Accelerating resistance rates, driven by misuse and poor infection control, threaten common infections and require urgent research into solutions.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat, particularly in developing countries with high infectious disease burdens.
- Limited resources in developing nations hinder the use of advanced antimicrobial agents, exacerbating the AMR problem.
- Gastrointestinal, respiratory, sexually transmitted, and nosocomial infections are severely impacted by rising resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the current status of antimicrobial resistance in key infections in developing countries.
- To highlight the factors contributing to the acceleration of resistance rates.
- To identify the need for further research on quantifying and addressing the economic and health burdens of AMR.
Main Methods:
- Review of available data on antimicrobial resistance patterns.
- Analysis of factors contributing to resistance, including antimicrobial misuse and infection control shortfalls.
- Consideration of potential reservoirs for resistance in human and animal populations.
Main Results:
- Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance is often suboptimal in many developing countries.
- Rates of antimicrobial resistance are accelerating, driven by widespread antimicrobial misuse.
- Infection control and public health measures are insufficient, contributing to the spread of resistance.
- Healthy human and animal populations may serve as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial resistance presents a considerable economic and health burden in developing countries.
- Urgent research is needed to accurately quantify the problem and develop practical solutions.
- Part II of this review will explore potential containment strategies for antimicrobial resistance.