Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
To better guide the regional response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), we report the burden of AMR over time in countries in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region. To assess the capacities of national infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship programs, we analyzed data on bloodstream infections reported to the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System during 2017–2019, data from 7 countries on nationally representative surveys of antimicrobial prescriptions, and data from 2 regional surveys. The median proportion of bloodstream infections was highest for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (70.3%) and lowest for carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (4.6%). Results of the regional assessments indicate that few countries have capacities for infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship programs to prevent emergence and spread of AMR. Overall, the magnitude of the problem and the limited capacity to respond emphasize the need for regional political leadership in addressing AMR.
Introduction
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global crisis and one of the world's most complex challenges, threatening a century of health progress. AMR affects human and animal health and poses a serious threat to reaching sustainable development goals and food security. Drug-resistant infections account for 700,000 deaths globally each year and could cumulate to 10 million by 2050 if no sustained efforts to contain AMR are implemented.
