Antibiotic resistant infections and associated deaths increase
Antibiotic resistance is once again on the rise after declines in the pandemic, with more dangerous strains of bacteria spreading in communities and hospitals.The latest national surveillance data, announced at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) annual conference in Leeds today, shows that an estimated 58,224 people in England had an antibiotic resistant infection in 2022 – a rise of 4% since 2021 (55,792). Deaths due to severe antibiotic resistant infections also increased from 2021 to 2022 (from 2,110 to 2,202).
Antibiotic use in England declined from 2014 to 2020, with large drops in 2020 related to the pandemic. However, latest data now shows a reversal in this downward trend, with antibiotic use in all settings (apart from dental) increasing in 2022. Total prescribing rose by 8.4% in 2022 compared with 2021, although remains below 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Inappropriate and excessive antibiotic use increases the risk of emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and associated increased in deaths related to these infections.
The proportion of bloodstream infections that are resistant to one or more antibiotics (1 in 5) has remained stable since 2018, but there are concerning increases in antibiotic resistance in some bacteria.
Klebsiella pneumoniae – a cause of sepsis – is becoming increasingly resistant to a range of antibiotics traditionally used as first line treatments, particularly third generation-cephalosporins (from 13.5% resistant in 2018 to 17.4% in 2022) and piperacillin with tazobactam (from 15.1% to 19.6%).
This year’s report provides additional analysis of differences in antibiotic resistance burden in England in different populations. Of all bloodstream infections detected, Asian or Asian British ethnic groups had almost double the proportion of antibiotic resistant infections (34.6%) compared to white ethnic groups (18.7%).
Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but inappropriate use and overuse of antibiotics can accelerate this process. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are less likely to respond to treatment, causing serious complications, including bloodstream infections, sepsis and hospitalisation.