The crisis of antimicrobial resistance: current status and future strategies

The continuous emergence of new antimicrobial resistance in major human pathogens is a serious threat to clinical medicine, that increases mortality, morbidity, length of hospitalization, and the cost of healthcare. This review article focuses on the current status of antimicrobial resistance and future strategies to overcome antimicrobial resistance. In the community, multidrugresistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and extended-spectrum beta-lactamaseproducing Enterobacteriaceae are major issues. In the hospital, an increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant or pan-drug resistant gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are emerging problems, while MRSA still remains the major cause of nosocomial infections. Strategies to control antimicrobial resistance include effective antimicrobial treatment, vaccination, infection control and appropriate policies and regulations. Continuous surveillance activities both in Korea and in an international setting are essential. Control of antimicrobial resistance should be a national priority based on a multisectoral approach, and international collaboration.