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Global Travel and Antimicrobial Resistance: a Challenge for Stewardship

  • Antimicrobial Stewardship (M Stevens, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This study aims to discuss the global problem of antimicrobial resistance that has been amplified by international travel and explore stewardship considerations for providers when caring for travelers.

Recent Findings

There are a variety of environmental and societal factors that contribute to the ongoing development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Now more than ever, there are increasing rates of international travelers each year in the context of similarly rising rates of multi-drug-resistant organisms. With global travel, individuals are at risk for infection and colonization with these multi-drug-resistant organisms and therefore can contribute to further spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Summary

Counseling travelers about infection prevention and pre-travel vaccination is one of the best defenses against the spread of antimicrobial resistance. When a traveler presents for medical care after returning from their trip, a detailed history is crucial to determining possible infectious diagnoses as well as guiding appropriate antimicrobial treatments based on potential exposure to drug-resistant organisms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, 2390 Hemby Lane, Mail Stop 715, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA

    Franklin Mikell MD, William M. Wooten DO, Sabina Manandhar MD & Jennifer Emberger MD, MPH

  2. Division of Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA

    Franklin Mikell MD & William M. Wooten DO

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Mikell, F., Wooten, W.M., Manandhar, S. et al. Global Travel and Antimicrobial Resistance: a Challenge for Stewardship. Curr Treat Options Infect Dis 14, 1–14 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40506-021-00257-6

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