MICROBIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA.
Abstract:
Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a significant global health threat, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Microbiological surveillance plays a crucial role in monitoring the prevalence and trends of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, facilitating effective infection control measures and guiding antibiotic stewardship programs. This abstract provides a comprehensive review of the current state of microbiological surveillance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The review discusses various surveillance methods utilized, including phenotypic and genotypic approaches, to identify and characterize antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Phenotypic methods involve antibiotic susceptibility testing, using techniques like disk diffusion, broth microdilution, and automated systems. Genotypic methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and whole-genome sequencing, allow for the detection of specific resistance genes and provide insights into the genetic basis of resistance.
Furthermore, the abstract highlights the importance of global surveillance networks, such as the World Health Organization’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS), in collecting and analyzing data on antibiotic resistance. These networks enable the monitoring of resistance patterns at national, regional, and global levels, facilitating the identification of emerging resistance threats and the evaluation of intervention strategies.
The abstract also emphasizes the significance of surveillance in healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities, where the risk of resistant bacterial infections is particularly high. It discusses the implementation of active surveillance programs, including screening of high-risk patient populations and environmental surveillance, to identify colonization or contamination with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and prevent their spread.
Additionally, the abstract addresses the challenges associated with microbiological surveillance, such as the lack of standardized methodologies, data sharing, and limited resources in low- and middle-income countries. It highlights the need for enhanced collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and public health agencies to strengthen surveillance systems and facilitate the development of targeted interventions.
In conclusion, microbiological surveillance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is essential for understanding the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and mechanisms of resistance. By providing timely and accurate data, surveillance programs support the formulation of evidence-based policies and interventions to combat antibiotic resistance effectively. Continued investment and collaboration in surveillance efforts are vital to mitigate the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and safeguard public health.