Korean J Med.  2009 Aug;77(2):143-151.

Current status and future strategies of antimicrobial resistance in Korea

• Song JH

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance in major bacterial pathogens became a serious problem in the clinical practice. In Korean hospitals,prevalence rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli are very high. In the community, macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and community- associated MRSA are major resistant pathogens. Infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are associated with a greater likelihood of inappropriate antimicrobial therapy and poor clinical outcome. Physicians should have updated information and knowledge about current epidemiological status of resistance and appropriate use of antimicrobial agents. Appropriate use of antimicrobial agents, strict infection control, and development of new antibiotics and vaccines are important future strategies for thecontrol of antimicrobial resistance. This review focuses on the current epidemiology and clinical implications of antimicrobial- resistant bacterial infections in Korea based on the published data for the past 10 years.

Keyword

Antimicrobial Resistance; Bacterial infections; Epidemiology; Korea

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Anti-Infective Agents
Bacteria
Bacterial Infections
Infection Control
Korea
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Vaccines
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Anti-Infective Agents
Vaccines