A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that in 2023, one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide showed resistance to common antibiotic treatments. This alarming finding highlights a growing public health threat as antibiotic resistance continues to escalate globally. Between 2018 and 2023, resistance rates increased in over 40% of monitored pathogen-antibiotic combinations, with an average annual rise of 5 to 15%.
The report, launched on March 15, 2024, provides the first comprehensive estimates of resistance prevalence across 22 antibiotics used to treat various infections, including those affecting the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, as well as bloodstream infections and gonorrhoea. Data collected by the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) from over 100 countries underscores the urgency of addressing this issue.
Antibiotic Resistance Trends and Regional Disparities
The report identifies eight common bacterial pathogens, including Acinetobacter spp., Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, that are increasingly resistant to treatment. The WHO estimates that antibiotic resistance is particularly pronounced in the South-East Asian and Eastern Mediterranean Regions, where approximately one in three reported infections were resistant. In the African Region, the figure is one in five.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed concern about the growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). He stated, “Antimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances in modern medicine, threatening the health of families worldwide.” He emphasized the need for responsible antibiotic use and the importance of strengthening health systems to prevent and treat infections effectively.
The report also highlights a troubling trend regarding drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, particularly E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which are leading causes of severe bloodstream infections. Alarmingly, more than 40% of E. coli and over 55% of K. pneumoniae strains globally are now resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, the standard treatment for these infections. In the African Region, resistance levels exceed 70%.
Challenges and Calls to Action
Resistance to other critical antibiotics, such as carbapenems and fluoroquinolones, is also on the rise. Once considered effective, these treatments are becoming less reliable against common pathogens, forcing healthcare providers to resort to last-resort antibiotics that are often expensive and hard to access, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Participation in GLASS has expanded significantly, increasing from 25 countries in 2016 to 104 in 2023. Despite this progress, almost half of the reporting countries did not submit data in 2023, and many lacked the necessary systems to produce reliable information on AMR. This is particularly concerning for countries facing the most significant health challenges, as they often lack the capacity to assess their AMR situations effectively.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a political declaration on AMR in 2024, focusing on strengthening health systems through a coordinated “One Health” approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. To combat the rising threat of AMR, countries are urged to fortify their laboratory systems and enhance data collection, particularly from underserved areas.
The WHO calls on all nations to report high-quality AMR and antimicrobial use data to GLASS by 2030. Achieving this goal will require concerted efforts to enhance surveillance quality, geographic coverage, and data sharing. Countries should implement coordinated interventions to address antimicrobial resistance at all healthcare levels and ensure that treatment guidelines reflect local resistance patterns.
For those seeking more detailed information, the report is accompanied by an expanded digital content offering available on the WHO’s GLASS dashboard, which provides global and regional summaries, country profiles, and detailed AMR data.
As the fight against antibiotic resistance continues, it is crucial for nations to prioritize the monitoring and responsible use of antibiotics to safeguard public health for future generations.
