Antimicrobial resistance in developing countries. Part I: Recent trends and current status

Iruka N. Okeke, Ramanan Laxminarayan, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Adriano G. Duse, Philip Jenkins, Thomas F. O'Brien, Ariel Pablos-Mendez, Keith P. Klugman

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

618 Scopus citations

Abstract

The global problem of antimicrobial resistance is particularly pressing in developing countries, where the infectious disease burden is high and cost constraints prevent the widespread application of newer, more expensive agents. Gastrointestinal, respiratory, sexually transmitted, and nosocomial infections are leading causes of disease and death in the developing world, and management of all these conditions has been critically compromised by the appearance and rapid spread of resistance. In this first part of the review, we have summarised the present state of resistance in these infections from the available data. Even though surveillance of resistance in many developing countries is suboptimal, the general picture is one of accelerating rates of resistance spurred by antimicrobial misuse and shortfalls in infection control and public health. Reservoirs for resistance may be present in healthy human and animal populations. Considerable economic and health burdens emanate from bacterial resistance, and research is needed to accurately quantify the problem and propose and evaluate practicable solutions. In part II, to be published next month, we will review potential containment strategies that could address this burgeoning problem.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)481-493
Number of pages13
JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases
Volume5
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2005
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Infectious Diseases

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