Antimicrobial Resistance

Antibiotics, antivirals, and other antimicrobials have saved millions of lives worldwide, but these drugs are losing their effectiveness because of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance refers to microbes' natural ability to evolve genetically to counter the drugs. Some of this is inevitable, but over-prescription and improper use of antimicrobials plays a big role. Up to half of antibiotic use is unnecessary or inappropriate.

Drug-resistant infections can strike anyone—young or old, healthy or sick, as these real life patient stories show. Treating resistant infections costs the U.S. health care system an estimated $21 billion to $34 billion annually. IDSA is working on many fronts to counter these "bad bugs" and save lives.

IDSA Policy Priority: The 10 x '20 Initiative

Facts about Antibiotic Resistance

The incidence of antibiotic-resistance has been rapidly increasing. At the same time, fewer new antibiotics are being developed.

Patient Stories

Many patients and their families have suffered the debilitating effects of drug-resistant infections.IDSA believes it is important to tell their stories to spur the development of new treatments and to strengthen efforts to control drug resistance. If you would like to share your story, please contact John Heys at jheys@idsociety.org.

Patient Education Guides on MRSA and other HAIs

IDSA partners with the Society for HealthCare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and others to offer free guides to educate the public about preventing seven common health care-associated infections (HAIs). Many HAIs, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are drug-resistant.

Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work

This site from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes resources to help you learn more about appropriate antibiotic use, antibiotic resistance, and how to feel better when sick with a viral infection.

Policy Statement on Antimicrobial Stewardship

In a new position paper, IDSA, SHEA, and PIDS urge health care systems and policymakers to step up efforts to protect patients by preserving the effectiveness of available antibiotics through antimicrobial stewardship. (2012)

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

In June 2010, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) published new MIC and disk diffusion interpretive criteria (i.e., breakpoints) for the Enterobacteriaceae for five cephalosporins.

IDSA Practice Guidelines on MRSA

These guidelines on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) discuss the management of a variety of clinical syndromes associated with MRSA disease, including skin and soft tissue infections, bacteremia and endocarditis, pneumonia, bone and joint infections, and central nervous system infections. (2011)

IDSA/SHEA Practice Guidelines on Antimicrobial Stewardship

This document presents guidelines for developing institutional programs to enhance antimicrobial stewardship, an activity that includes appropriate selection, dosing, route, and duration of antimicrobial therapy. (2007)

More Professionals

Help Win Congress’s Support for New Antibiotics

Legislative Action Alert: We need your help urging Congress to provide a new FDA approval pathway to help companies bring to market the most urgently needed new antibiotics. Contact Congress today.

New Antibiotic Approval Pathway Would Address Critical Need (PDF)

The Society’s proposed Limited Population Antibacterial Drug (LPAD) mechanism would streamline the development of antibiotics needed to treat the most serious infections.

IDSA Policy: Antimicrobial Resistance

IDSA is working on several fronts to counter “bad bugs” including by promoting development of new drugs, eliminating inappropriate use of antibiotics in agriculture, promoting antimicrobial stewardship programs, and strengthening the U.S. response through surveillance, prevention and control, and research efforts.

Facts about Antibiotic Resistance

The incidence of antibiotic-resistance has been rapidly increasing. At the same time, fewer new antibiotics are being developed.

More Public Policy

CDC Sounds Alarm on Deadly, Untreatable Superbugs

USA Today reports on a family of "nightmare" superbugs: carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriacaea (CRE). CDC, SHEA, and IDSA representatives discuss the difficulty in treatment and preventing transmission of CRE. (3/6/2013)

Drug Companies, Health Groups Back IDSA Proposal

Support is growing for IDSA’s proposed new antibiotic approval pathway, which would provide a new approval option for companies interested in developing drugs for serious infections with few or no existing treatment options. (4/12/12)

Hospital Programs to Reduce Antibiotic Resistance Working: Studies

HealthDay News reports that antimicrobial stewardship programs are helping to reduce antibiotic resistance and costs, but too few hospitals have fully implemented such programs, according to new research presented at IDSA’s Annual Meeting. (10/20/2011)

New Measures, Legislation Aimed at Antibiotic Resistance: Infections Cost Millions, End Lives

The Nation’s Health reports on IDSA’s plan to combat deadly antibiotic-resistant “super bugs,” which was rolled out on World Health Day 2011. (04/07/2011)

More Press

Antimicrobial Resistance

Infectious Diseases Society of America