A new study shows some bacteria have already become resistant to one of the latest antibiotics available on the NHS
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that some bacteria have become resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam, one of the latest antibiotics introduced to the NHS. The resistance levels remain relatively low; however, the data highlight the importance of the appropriate use of antibiotics and the development of resistance.
Ceftazidime/avibactam treats the most serious infections in hospitals
Ceftazidime/avibactam was introduced to the NHS in 2017 and is an antibiotic against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. The drug treats the most serious infections in hospitals, such as bloodstream infections, typically in individuals infected with known multidrug-resistant bacteria or after other antibiotics have failed. It is classed as a ‘reserve’ antibiotic and is only prescribed in exceptional circumstances.
Data analysis from 2016 to 2020 found that 6.3% of bacteria tested in routine surveillance showed resistance to the drug. Percentage resistance per bacterial species varied over time, stabilising as routine surveillance testing was established. The antibiotic was used by 69.5% of NHS Trusts during the study period.
Antibiotic misuse accelerates resistance
When antibiotics become resistant to bacteria, this can cause complications such as bloodstream infections and sepsis. Antibiotics should only be prescribed when necessary to tackle the threat of resistance.
Dr Colin Brown, UKHSA Deputy Director responsible for AMR, said: “This study reminds us how vital resistance surveillance is. Research like this means clinicians and prescribers can access the most relevant information available to prescribe the best antibiotics for their patients while protecting the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics for future use.
“We aren’t going to be able to tackle antibiotic resistance solely by finding new drugs. While we continue to support innovation in developing new treatments, resistance will emerge and so it’s important that we all work together to keep antibiotics working.”
Exploring the state of antibiotic resistance in the UK
Antibiotic resistance is one of the most significant threats to global public health.
In 2019, there were 4.95 million deaths associated with bacterial AMR across 204 countries, and 1.27 million of those were directly attributed, leading the World Health Organization to declare it a top global public health threat.
In the UK, data from 2023 estimated that 66,730 serious antibiotic-resistant infections were recorded, compared to 62,314 in 2019. The English Surveillance of Antibiotic Prescribing and Utilisation Report (ESPAUR) shows that the majority of antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections in the last 5 years (65%) were caused by E. coli – a common cause of urinary tract infections, diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever.
To tackle the rise of resistance, the UK Government developed a new AMR 5-year national action plan, ‘Confronting antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029’, which builds on the achievements and lessons from the first national action plan.
The National Action Plan contains several ambitions, including:
- By 2029, the government aims to halt any increase in the prevalence of specific drug-resistant infections in humans, based on the 2019-2020 financial year baseline.
- By 2029, the government seeks to prevent any rise in gram-negative bloodstream infections, known for their difficulty to treat, compared to the FY 2019-2020 baseline.
- By 2029, the government aims to boost public and healthcare professionals’ knowledge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by 10%, using the 2018 and 2019 baselines, respectively.
- By 2029, the government strives to reduce overall antibiotic use in human populations by 5%, compared to the 2019 baseline.
- By 2029, the government aims for 70% of total antibiotic use within the human healthcare system to be from the “access” category, a new classification introduced in the UK.
