Global patterns and correlates in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in humans

Emma Mendelsohn, Noam Ross, Carlos Zambrana-Torrelio, T. P. Van Boeckel, Ramanan Laxminarayan, Peter Daszak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat, and drivers of the emergence of novel strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans are poorly understood at the global scale. We examined correlates of AMR emergence in humans using global data on the origins of novel strains of AMR bacteria from 2006 to 2017, human and livestock antibiotic use, country economic activity and reporting bias indicators. We found that AMR emergence is positively correlated with antibiotic consumption in humans. However, the relationship between AMR emergence and antibiotic consumption in livestock is modified by gross domestic product (GDP), with only higher GDP countries showing a slight positive association, a finding that differs from previous studies on the drivers of AMR prevalence. We also found that human travel may play a role in AMR emergence, likely driving the spread of novel AMR strains into countries where they are subsequently detected for the first time. Finally, we used our model to generate a country-level map of the global distribution of predicted AMR emergence risk, and compared these findings against reported AMR emergence to identify gaps in surveillance that can be used to direct prevention and intervention policies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number20231085
JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Volume290
Issue number2007
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 20 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Environmental Science
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Keywords

  • AMR
  • antibiotic resistance
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • global health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Global patterns and correlates in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in humans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this