Role of Global Surveillance in Combating Bacterial Resistance

Abstract

In recent years, one of the more alarming aspects of clinical microbiology has been the dramatic increase in the incidence of antibacterial resistance among pathogens causing nosocomial as well as community-acquired infections. Numerous antibacterial agents have lost their in vitro activity as a result of selective pressure exerted by antibacterial usage. There is a general consensus on the fact that emergence and spread of resistance may be delayed by improving hygiene measures, reducing inappropriate use of antibacterials, and adopting successful empirical therapy based on sound epidemiological data. As a consequence, worldwide international studies of antibacterial resistance surveillance have been established. Surveys such as the Alexander Project and the SENTRY Programme supply high quality data to participating countries, stimulate collaboration and provide the educational information required for clinical decision-making that may result in improved cure rates.

Demographic analysis of antimicrobial resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae: worldwide results from PROTEKT 1999–2000

“…[20][21][22] Resistance surveillance studies are an integral component of many of these strategies. 9,23 For surveillance studies to be of clinical value to the physician making choices about empirical antibacterial therapy, ideally they should collect isolates from specific infection sites in carefully defined patient populations. 9 Collection of demographic and source data (such as patient age, culture source, infection type, community-or hospital-acquired infection), which are often missing from surveillance reports, and the ability to analyze the data according to these parameters are important to reduce bias and error arising from variation in the sample population, and to answer the question of relevance to the physician.…”

The Alexander Project: the benefits from a decade of surveillance

“…Among these are timeliness, accuracy, consistent and standardized methods of collection and analysis-including the use of a central laboratory and internationally accepted standard procedures, the collection of appropriate demographic data, ongoing chronological data collection (year-on-year), quality-control measures and reporting on major pathogens found in community-acquired or nosocomial infections. [10][11][12][13][14] Additionally, high-quality surveillance programmes should be able to identify significant differences, as well as changes and trends, in susceptibility to the agents tested. 15 The Alexander Project met these criteria and provided global and regional reference data on emerging trends likely to influence broad prescribing practices.…”

In vitro activity of ABT773, a new ketolide derivative exhibiting innovative microbiological properties against well-characterised antibiotic resistant pathogens in Italy

“…National and international guidelines continue to suggest the usage of macrolides for empirical therapy of respiratory tract infections, including mild-to-moderate pneumonia acquired in the community [16,[24][25][26]. ABT 773 displays enhanced in vitro activity against all the aetiological agents involved, including the atypical organisms and may therefore be a suitable alternative to a family of drugs to which there is resistance worldwide [48].…”