The role of vaccines in fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Abstract

The problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the associated morbidity and mortality due to antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens is not new. However, AMR has been increasing at an alarming rate with appearances of diseases caused by bacteria exhibiting resistance to not just one but multiple classes of antibiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) supported by governments, health ministries and health agencies has formulated global action plans to combat the rise in AMR, supporting a number of proven initiatives such as antimicrobial stewardship, investments in development of new classes of antibiotics, and educational programs designed to eliminate inappropriate antibiotic use. Vaccines as tools to reduce AMR have historically been under-recognized, yet the positive effect in reducing AMR has been well established. For example Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) as well as Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) conjugate vaccines have impressive track records in not only preventing life threatening diseases caused by these bacteria, but also reducing antibiotic use and AMR. This paper will describe the drivers of antibiotic use and subsequent development of AMR; it will make the case how existing vaccines are already participating in combatting AMR, describe future prospects for the role of new vaccines in development to reduce AMR, and highlight challenges associated with future vaccine development to combat AMR.

Keywords: Clostridium difficile; Group B streptococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pneumoniae; antimicrobial resistance; vaccines.

Figure 1.

The rapid global spread of antibiotic resistant S. aureus,⁷⁸ C. difficile⁸ and E. coli.⁷⁹.

Figure 2.

Rates of antibiotic non-susceptible invasive pneumococcal disease (<5 years) 2005–2013.²⁸.