National surveillance data published by the UK Health Security Agency has shown that antibiotic resistant infections in 2023 surpassed pre-pandemic levels. There were an estimated 66,730 serious antibiotic resistant infections in 2023, compared to 62,314 in 2019.
The English Surveillance of Antibiotic Prescribing and Utilisation Report (ESPAUR) shows that the majority of antibiotic resistant bloodstream infections in the last 5 years (65%) were caused by E. coli – a common cause of urinary tract infections, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.
People who get a bacterial infection that is resistant to one or more antibiotics are more likely to die within 30 days compared to those who have an antibiotic sensitive infection.
Antibiotic use also rose in 2023 by 2.4%, compared to 2022, and prescribing levels are now in line with those seen in 2019. The increases were across the majority of antibiotic groups, with penicillins accounting for the most frequently prescribed antibiotic group in primary and secondary care.
This week is World AMR Awareness Week, and these statistics demonstrate why such a campaign is needed. In a world where we have many reliable diagnostic tests for a number of conditions pertaining to AMR, a rise in antibiotics usage, however small, is a gravely concerning.
BIVDA will continue to champion the role of diagnostics in antimicrobial stewardship.
