The ICMR report focused on commonly used antibiotics for treating conditions such as fevers, diarrhea, pneumonia, and other bloodstream infections.
A recent report from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) indicated that diseases such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), blood infections, pneumonia, and typhoid have developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics, complicating treatment efforts.
The ICMR’s Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Surveillance Network has released its 2023 annual report, marking the seventh comprehensive review of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trends. Based on data collected from January to December 2023, the findings reveal a concerning rise in antibiotic resistance across the country.
The report focused on commonly used antibiotics for treating conditions such as upper respiratory infections, fevers, diarrhea, pneumonia, sepsis, community-acquired pneumonia, and various bloodstream infections.
Earlier, a survey conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the Union Health Ministry revealed that nearly half of the antibiotics prescribed in India contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Detailed Findings
The report analyzed data from hospitals and clinics across India, covering the period from January 1 to December 31, 2023, and examined a total of 99,492 samples from both public and private healthcare centers.
The report highlights a troubling increase in antibiotic resistance and a decreasing susceptibility of common bacteria. It examined culture-positive isolates from blood, urine, respiratory infections, deep infections, and other specimens, with data gathered from 21 regional centers across the country.
ICMR’s Full Report
The study tested antibiotics on bacteria such as E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, identified in samples from blood, urine, the respiratory tract, and various other infections.
“Continuous surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibilities is essential for customizing empiric antibiotic therapy, improving patient outcomes, and curbing the spread of resistance,” the report stated.
It urges immediate action to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance and emphasizes the necessity for stricter regulations on antibiotic usage.
The report also highlighted the misuse of critical antibiotics in agriculture, which contributes to the acceleration of resistance. It called for stronger measures to protect the efficacy of vital antibiotics for both human and animal health.
ICMR Report Highlights Key Diseases Facing Antibiotic Resistance in India
1. One of the major findings is the increasing resistance of E. coli, particularly in both ICU and outpatient settings. E. coli was the most prevalent bacterium across OPD, ICU, and ward environments, exhibiting poor responsiveness to antibiotics such as cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin, with susceptibility rates dropping below 20%.
2. Likewise, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are also showing rising resistance, especially to critical antibiotics like piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem, and meropenem.
3. The report noted a gradual decline in antibiotic effectiveness over time. For instance, the effectiveness of piperacillin-tazobactam fell from 56.8% in 2017 to just 42.4% in 2023.
4. Even commonly used antibiotics like amikacin and meropenem are becoming less effective in treating infections.
5. Gram-negative bacteria, known to cause infections throughout the body, are the most frequently identified pathogens in key samples, including blood, urine, and lung specimens.
ICMR researchers found that bacteria responsible for gastroenteritis, such as Salmonella typhi, have developed over 95% resistance to fluoroquinolones, a class of antibiotics commonly used to treat severe infections.
