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Review
. 2015 Jun 5;370(1670):20140080.
doi: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0080.

Surveillance of antibiotic resistance

Alan P Johnson  1
Affiliations
Review

Surveillance of antibiotic resistance

Alan P Johnson. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. .

Abstract

Surveillance involves the collection and analysis of data for the detection and monitoring of threats to public health. Surveillance should also inform as to the epidemiology of the threat and its burden in the population. A further key component of surveillance is the timely feedback of data to stakeholders with a view to generating action aimed at reducing or preventing the public health threat being monitored. Surveillance of antibiotic resistance involves the collection of antibiotic susceptibility test results undertaken by microbiology laboratories on bacteria isolated from clinical samples sent for investigation. Correlation of these data with demographic and clinical data for the patient populations from whom the pathogens were isolated gives insight into the underlying epidemiology and facilitates the formulation of rational interventions aimed at reducing the burden of resistance. This article describes a range of surveillance activities that have been undertaken in the UK over a number of years, together with current interventions being implemented. These activities are not only of national importance but form part of the international response to the global threat posed by antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: antibiotic susceptibility testing; interventions; public health threat.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Proportion of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from blood that were methicillin-resistant (MRSA) in England and Wales in 1992–2001.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Cases of MRSA bacteraemia in England reported via the mandatory surveillance scheme between 2004 and 2013.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Design of enhanced surveillance for cases of MRSA bacteraemia in children. BPSU, British Paediatric Surveillance Unit.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The proportion of E. coli isolated from blood in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that were resistant to ciprofloxacin (circles) and third-generation cephalosporins (squares) during 2002 to 2013.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Isolates of Gram-negative bacteria confirmed as carbapenemase producers by the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections Reference Unit of PHE, between 2005 and 2013.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
The seven key areas for action outlined in the UK 5-year Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Strategy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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MeSH terms