Michael A Saubolle1. 1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Sciences of Arizona/Sonora Quest Laboratories, Banner Health, and University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix/ Tucson, Arizona 85006, USA. mike.saubolle@bannerhealth.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is initiated through mutations in bacterial genes, culminating in end products that help circumvent the action of specific antimicrobial agents. Resistant mutants can proliferate under a number of circumstances but primarily through the action of selective pressure from the overuse of antimicrobial agents. METHODS: The results of surveillance studies over approximately the last ten years were evaluated. CONCLUSION: Resistance rates in the group of microorganisms associated with respiratory tract infections had been increasing rapidly over the past 10 years, but, recently, many seem to have reached a plateau. However, newer, more invasive clones of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), differing from health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA), and typically associated with community-acquisition (CA-MRSA), recently have begun to proliferate. Burgeoning use of fluoroquinolones has impacted the Gram-negative bacilli (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella), causing their resistance rates to approach the critical point. A better understanding of the epidemiology of resistance and responsible use of antimicrobial agents are mandatory if the continuing rates of increasing resistance are to be abrogated.
BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is initiated through mutations in bacterial genes, culminating in end products that help circumvent the action of specific antimicrobial agents. Resistant mutants can proliferate under a number of circumstances but primarily through the action of selective pressure from the overuse of antimicrobial agents. METHODS: The results of surveillance studies over approximately the last ten years were evaluated. CONCLUSION: Resistance rates in the group of microorganisms associated with respiratory tract infections had been increasing rapidly over the past 10 years, but, recently, many seem to have reached a plateau. However, newer, more invasive clones of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), differing from health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA), and typically associated with community-acquisition (CA-MRSA), recently have begun to proliferate. Burgeoning use of fluoroquinolones has impacted the Gram-negative bacilli (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella), causing their resistance rates to approach the critical point. A better understanding of the epidemiology of resistance and responsible use of antimicrobial agents are mandatory if the continuing rates of increasing resistance are to be abrogated.