The Open Infectious Diseases Journal
2010, 4 : 38-54Published online 2010 September 15. DOI: 10.2174/1874279301004010038
Publisher ID: TOIDJ-4-38
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Update on Antibacterial Resistance in Low-Income Countries: Factors
Favoring the Emergence of Resistance
1
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, FMHS, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Tel: + 971 3 7137 480; Fax: + 971 3 7671966; E-mail: tpal@uaeu.ac.ae
2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, FMHS, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Tel: + 971 3 7137 480; Fax: + 971 3 7671966; E-mail: tpal@uaeu.ac.ae
ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial resistance has increased drastically in recent years in the developing countries, and it has rapidly become a leading public health concern. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance varies greatly between and within countries and between different pathogens. However, overall a trend to the increase of the resistance to those antimicrobial agents more often used in these countries has been observed. Several factors can contribute to the rapid emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. In this paper, the current antimicrobial resistance in different microorganisms from different countries as well as the factors contributing to the emergence and spread of resistance in developing countries will be reviewed.