J Korean Med Assoc.  2022 Aug;65(8):462-466. 10.5124/jkma.2022.65.8.462.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria: a national challenge requiring urgent addressal

• Kim NJ

• KMID: 2532660
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2022.65.8.462

Abstract

Background
Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections are a worldwide threat owing to their increased prevalence, and poor prognosis due to inadequate antibacterial drugs.
Current Concepts
Until 2019, several new antibacterial agents, targeting gram-positive bacteria—including telavancin, oritavancin, dalbavancin, ceftaroline, lefamulin, and delafloxacin—had been approved for use in the United States and Europe. Newer antibiotics targeting gram-negative bacteria include ceftazidime-avibactam, imipenem-cilastatin-relebactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, cefiderocol, eravacycline, and plazomicin. The guidance on the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacteria by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, published in February 2022, recommend the use of new antibacterial agents recently approved. However these drugs have not yet been introduced in Korea, thus impeding their prescription by physicians. Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections demonstrably contribute to a high mortality rate and socioeconomic burden.
Discussion and Conclusion
Considering the societal impact of antibiotic resistance, the government should monitor and encourage antimicrobial stewardship to reduce the prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, and hasten the introduction of new antibacterial agents for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in Korea.

Keyword

Multiple drug resistance; Anti-bacterial agents; Antimicrobial stewardship; 다제내성균; 항균제; 항생제사용관리