title: Antibiotic resistance as a major public health concern: epidemiology and economic impact.
abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is mainly sustained by the improper use of antibiotics and has become a global public health concern both in the field of human and animal health. Italy has the highest prevalence of AMR among European countries, in particular carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, which reached 34.3% in 2013. Multidrug-resistant microorganisms' infections are associated with increased risk of complications, higher hospitalization rates, increased healthcare costs, loss of productivity and increased mortality. This paper summarizes the most recent epidemiological data regarding the spread of antibiotic resistance in Italy, consumption and economic impact, outlining the need for timely action and integrated approaches in all countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T), Public Health Unit, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ciorba
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T), Public Health Unit, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Odone
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T), Public Health Unit, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Licia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Veronesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T), Public Health Unit, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesira
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pasquarella
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological & Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T), Public Health Unit, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Signorelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Antibiotic consumption; Antibiotic resistance; Multidrug-resistant microorganisms; Review