Surveillance for antimicrobial drug resistance in under-resourced countries

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR) is a significant global health challenge, leading to increased mortality, particularly in infants.
• Under-resourced countries face substantial barriers to monitoring AMR, including inadequate surveillance networks, limited laboratory capacity, and a lack of appropriate diagnostics.
• Key infections impacted by AMR include tuberculosis, malaria, severe acute respiratory infections, and Gram-negative bacterial sepsis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the feasibility and necessity of mapping antimicrobial drug resistance in under-resourced settings.
• To propose a strategic international roadmap for strengthening AMR surveillance in these regions.
• To identify critical components for successful AMR surveillance, such as specimen integrity and data standardization.

Main Methods:

• Review of previous successful efforts in AMR surveillance.
• Identification of essential prerequisites for effective surveillance, including specimen shipping, data standardization, contamination control, and diagnostic adequacy.
• Conceptualization of a multi-faceted international roadmap.

Main Results:

• Mapping AMR is achievable even in resource-limited settings.
• Previous successful initiatives offer valuable lessons for current and future efforts.
• Key logistical and technical factors must be addressed for reliable surveillance data.

Conclusions:

• An international, collaborative roadmap is essential to bolster AMR surveillance in under-resourced countries.
• The proposed roadmap should encompass a research agenda, network consolidation strategy, and a comprehensive communication plan.
• Strengthening surveillance is a critical first step in mitigating the impact of antimicrobial drug resistance globally.