CON: COVID-19 Will Not Result in Increased Antimicrobial Resistance Prevalence

Overview

Journal JAC Antimicrob Resist

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2021 Jun 30

PMID 34192249

Citations 36

Authors

Peter Collignon

John J Beggs

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is affected by many factors, but too much of our focus has been on antimicrobial usage. The major factor that drives resistance rates globally is spread. The COVID-19 pandemic should lead to improved infection prevention and control practices, both in healthcare facilities and the community. COVID-19 will also have ongoing and profound effects on local, national and international travel. All these factors should lead to a decrease in the spread of resistant bacteria. So overall, COVID-19 should lead to a fall in resistance rates seen in many countries. For this debate we show why, overall, COVID-19 will not result in increased AMR prevalence. But globally, changes in AMR rates will not be uniform. In wealthier and developed countries, resistance rates will likely decrease, but in many other countries there are already too many factors associated with poor controls on the spread of bacteria and viruses (e.g. poor water and sanitation, poor public health, corrupt government, inadequate housing, etc.). In these countries, if economies and governance deteriorate further, we might see even more transmission of resistant bacteria.

Citing Articles

COVID-19 restrictions limited interactions of people and resulted in lowered antimicrobial resistance rates.

Collignon P, Beggs J, Robson J JAC Antimicrob Resist. 2024; 6(4):dlae125.

PMID: 39119042 PMC: 11306925. DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlae125.

A scoping review of bacterial resistance among inpatients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reffat N, Schwei R, Griffin M, Pop-Vicas A, Schulz L, Pulia M J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2024; 38:49-65.

PMID: 38789083 PMC: 11392638. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.05.010.

A COVID-19 Silver Lining-Decline in Antibiotic Resistance in Ischemic Leg Ulcers during the Pandemic: A 6-Year Retrospective Study from a Regional Tertiary Hospital (2017-2022).

Rerkasem A, Thaichana P, Bunsermvicha N, Nopparatkailas R, Arwon S, Orrapin S Antibiotics (Basel). 2024; 13(1).

PMID: 38247594 PMC: 10812686. DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13010035.

Treatment seeking and antibiotic use for urinary tract infection symptoms in the time of COVID-19 in Tanzania and Uganda.

Olamijuwon E, Keenan K, Mushi M, Kansiime C, Konje E, Kesby M J Glob Health. 2024; 14:05007.

PMID: 38236690 PMC: 10795859. DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.05007.

Microbiological profile of multidrug resistant bacteria before and during COVID-19 in CHU Mohammed VI.

Bennani H, Guennouni M, Ouarradi A, Hanchi A, Soraa N Iran J Microbiol. 2023; 15(6):771-778.

PMID: 38156298 PMC: 10751609. DOI: 10.18502/ijm.v15i6.14138.

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