Antimicrobial resistance under the microscope
Resistance to antibiotics is a growing problem worldwide. Selection pressure for resistant strains of bacteria in the form of overuse is very common. This poses a very serious threat to health, particularly in hospitals and health care situations generally. A research team from the University of Florence devised a survey, the Household antimicrobial use survey (HAUS). Using this, quantitative data was collated through household interviews in families where the children were 6 to 72 months old. The families were assessed regarding their general behaviour when ill and how they sought a remedy. In particular, information on antimicrobial consumption and self-medication was noted. Qualitative data in the form of their attitudes on the subject was also collected. The next step was to assess the levels of resistance in the bacterium Escherichia coli. The team used McConkey agar plates and tested resistance to more than 11 antibiotics. These included the commonly used ampicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin. The data was then stored for analysis by the Epi-Info 2000 programme. This was devised specifically for analysis of data for disease control and prevention. Large volumes of data as collected during this research can be analysed in its own right and then compared to other information in later studies. Trends in antimicrobial resistance can therefore be tracked. Appropriate strategies can then be formulated for the management and control of the situation. Results and conclusions can easily be disseminated to governments, health authorities, medical staff and carers.
