Tracking progress on antimicrobial resistance with TrACSS database in Italy: a short report.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• One Health Approach

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, with Italy experiencing high resistance rates.
• Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain prevalent due to weakened infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze Italy's 2022-2025 Tracking Antimicrobial Resistance Country Self-Assessment Survey (TrACSS) results.
• To evaluate actions within the National Plan to Combat Antibiotic Resistance (NPCAR).

Main Methods:

• Analysis of TrACSS survey data (2022-2025).
• Review of National Plan to Combat Antibiotic Resistance (NPCAR) initiatives.
• Assessment of Italy's integrated surveillance systems and ClassyFarm platform for One Health data collection.

Main Results:

• Antimicrobial stewardship programs show improvement.
• Antibiotic consumption remains high and varies significantly across Italian regions.
• IPC measures require strengthening to combat prevalent HAIs.

Conclusions:

• Italy is progressing towards an integrated One Health strategy for AMR.
• Sustained and harmonized actions are crucial to reduce AMR-related mortality and healthcare costs.
• Key priorities include enhancing IPC, integrating surveillance with prescription data, and standardizing stewardship programs.