title: Potential risk for drug resistance globalization at the Hajj.
abstract: Antibiotics were once considered the miracle cure for infectious diseases. The tragedy would be the loss of these miracles as we witness increased antibiotic resistance throughout the world. One of the concerns during mass gatherings is the transmission of antibiotic resistance. Hajj is one of the most common recurring mass gatherings, attracting millions of people from around the world. The transmission of drug-resistant organisms during the Hajj is not well described. In the current review, we summarize the available literature on the transmission and acquisition of antibiotic resistance during the Hajj and present possible solutions.
authors: Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Al-Tawfiq
authors: Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: zmemish@yahoo.com.
authors: Z A
authors: ZA
authors: Memish
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D003441:Crowding; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012529:Saudi Arabia
keywords: Antibiotic; Hajj; Saudi Arabia; bacterial transmission; drug-resistant organism; mass gathering