Lessons from a global antimicrobial resistance surveillance network

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance
• One Health

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat.
• Limited surveillance capacity in many countries hinders effective AMR monitoring.
• A standardized approach is needed to track AMR across human, animal, and environmental sectors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the World Health Organization's Tricycle surveillance programme.
• To describe the standardized protocol for detecting extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing *Escherichia coli*.
• To report on the establishment and initial experiences of the Network for Enhancing Tricycle ESBL Surveillance Efficiency (NETESE).

Main Methods:

• The Tricycle programme utilizes a standardized technical protocol.
• The protocol assesses ESBL-producing *Escherichia coli* in human, animal, and environmental samples.
• The Network for Enhancing Tricycle ESBL Surveillance Efficiency (NETESE) supports protocol implementation.

Main Results:

• 19 countries are currently implementing the Tricycle protocol.
• NETESE includes participants from 15 institutions in 8 low- and middle-income countries and 4 European countries.
• Initial implementation experiences are reported, highlighting challenges and opportunities.

Conclusions:

• The Tricycle programme provides a framework for global AMR surveillance.
• Standardized protocols are crucial for generating comparable data on AMR.
• NETESE facilitates the expansion and efficiency of ESBL surveillance worldwide.