IHMEC Web Page

Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are among the most serious public health problems, globally and in Europe. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has estimated that more than 670 000 infections occur in the EU/EEA due to bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and that approximately 33 000 people die as a direct consequence of these infections. The related cost to the healthcare systems of EU/EEA countries is around EUR 1.1 billion. It has been estimated that a mixed intervention package including antibiotic stewardship programmes, enhanced hygiene, mass media campaigns, and the use of rapid diagnostic tests has the potential to prevent approximately 27 000 deaths per year in the EU/EEA.

Antimicrobial resistance has been considered to be an Emerging infectious disease (EID). The easy acquisition of antibiotics and their incorrect and abusive use play an important role in the increase of bacterial resistance to these antimicrobial agents. In addition, resistance can be spread to bacteria belonging to the same or different species by mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, transposons, or integrons.

Healthcare-associated infection is a disease caused by bacteria, virus or fungi that has commenced while the patient was under the treatment of health care. In addition to hospital, infection can happen also at doctor’s office, nursing home or other welfare institution.

Resistant means immune, for instance some healthcare-associated bacteria that causes infections has become immune for normally used antibiotics which makes the treatment of the infections more difficult.

© Pixabay

Asokan, G. V. and Kasimanickam R. K. Emerging Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance and Millennium Development Goals: Resolving the Challenges through One Health. Cent Asian J. Glob. Health, 2013; 2, 2, 76. DOI: 10.5195/cajgh.2013.76
.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Surveillance report. Antimicrobial resistance in the EU/EEA (EARS-Net) - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2019.