Current Challenges in Antibiotic Stewardship in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

AbstractPurpose of reviewASPs are key tools in the time where an increase in the rates of bacterial resistance and cases ofClostridium difficile disease is observed worldwide, forcing a more efficient use of antibiotic therapy. We review some examples of the actual state of bacterial resistance in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), as well as some of the proposed strategies for the establishment of ASPs in resource-constrained environments.Recent findingsIn LMIC, there are important challenges in antimicrobial prescription; although not all inhabitants have access to adequate antibiotic therapy, the consumption of these drugs is high, and is reflected in high rates of bacterial resistance. The implementation of the strategic tools within ASP is promising and good results have been achieved, with a decrease in antimicrobial consumption.SummaryThe establishment of ASP is a worldwide need, and there are currently international initiatives for its development and implementation. LMIC deal with special challenges, as they need to guarantee the access to their population, but the use must be made in an appropriate manner. Currently, high rates of resistance are reported in hospital services, but in some countries, the implementation of ASP begins to yield results.Antibiotics are drugs that have a special place in the armamentarium of modern medicine. Since their introduction, they were one of the first drugs that changed the therapeutics, with the medical practice focused on ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research