Antimicrobial Resistance

The Antimicrobial Resistance topic includes research on the causes, transmission, prevention, and treatment of antimicrobial resistance and resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance includes resistance to antibiotics, antibacterials, antifungals, antiparasitics, and antivirals.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant public health problem, both in the U.S. and around the world. Microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, can evolve and develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs over time. The evolution of resistance occurs naturally, but it can be accelerated by overuse or misuse of antimicrobial treatments. As a result, infections are becoming more challenging to treat, which is of particular concern in treating immunocompromised people and those in health care facilities.