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Antimicrobial resistance and COVID-19: Intersections and implications

Gwenan M Knight1,2,3,4, Rebecca E Glover1,5, C Finn McQuaid1,2,3,4

  • 1AMR Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, United Kingdom.

Elife
|February 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern. The COVID-19 pandemic impacts AMR through changes in antimicrobial use and healthcare, with uncertain long-term effects on this global health threat.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was a major global health priority before the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The pandemic has altered healthcare systems, antimicrobial usage, and infection prevention strategies.
  • These changes create a complex and evolving landscape for addressing AMR.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the impact of COVID-19-related changes on the emergence, transmission, and burden of AMR.
  • To understand the short-term and potential long-term effects of the pandemic on AMR dynamics.
  • To inform strategies for preparedness and response to interconnected public health challenges.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of changes in antimicrobial usage patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Evaluation of shifts in infection prevention and control measures.
  • Assessment of health system modifications and their influence on AMR.

Main Results:

  • Short-term reductions in AMR pathogen selection and spread may occur due to increased hygiene and decreased travel/procedures.
  • Conversely, increased antibiotic use amid healthcare disruptions could exacerbate AMR.
  • The overall dynamics of AMR during the pandemic remain uncertain.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic presents both potential short-term benefits and long-term risks for AMR.
  • Continued global surveillance and research are crucial to understand and manage AMR in the evolving healthcare environment.
  • A coordinated global perspective is essential for effective preparedness and response to intersecting health crises.

Keywords:
COVID-19antimicrobial resistanceepidemiologyglobal health

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