Resistance around the globe

The Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy has developed a Resistance Map. This is an interactive collection of charts and maps that summarise national and subnational data on anti-microbial use and resistance worldwide. The primary sources of data are public and private laboratory networks that routinely collect anti-microbial resistance test results. We can explore antibiotic resistance by pathogen, and compare resistance to different antibiotics across countries, as well as observing trends over time. For example, we can compare E. coli resistance rate to fluoroquinolones across different countries. Let’s see.

Here we find that, in the United States, 35% of the isolates tested were resistant to fluoroquinolones. Let’s compare this with India where 84% of the isolates tested were resistant. What’s the situation in say, Australia? Well, there, 13% of the isolates where resistant to fluoroquinolones. Let’s evaluate now another antibiotic, third generation cephalosporins, for example. Here we see that, in the United States, 16% of the isolates tested were resistant to third generation cephalosporins. In India, 83% of the isolates tested were resistant. And in Australia, only 11%.

Let’s try a different pathogen now, klebsiella pneumoniae. In a different antibiotic, piperacillin and tazobactam, In the United States, 30% of the isolates tested were resistant. In India, it was 63%. And in Australia, 4%. We can also explore rates of antibiotic resistance by country.

Now, I practice in the United States, and more specifically in what’s considered the west north central region. So let’s see what’s the situation with E. coli and fluoroquinolones in this region.

I find that, in the west north central region, 18% of the isolates tested were resistant to fluoroquinolones, compared to the south Atlantic region– where I used to practice– where 35% of the isolates were resistant.

Now go ahead and look for information of interest to your own region and practice.