European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC): outpatient antibiotic use in Europe (1997–2009)

Abstract

Outpatient antibiotic use in Europe measured as DID has increased since 1997, whereas seasonal variation has decreased over time. European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC) data on outpatient antibiotic use in Europe enable countries to audit their antibiotic use. Complemented by longitudinal and compositional data analyses, these data provide a tool for assessing public health strategies aimed at reducing antibiotic resistance and optimizing antibiotic prescribing.

Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)–Producing Gram-negative Isolates from Urine and Wound Specimens in a Tertiary Health Facility in Southern Nigeria

“…An earlier study from the same facility that consisted of bacterial isolates from female reproductive tract did not observe higher antibacterial resistant among isolates from in-patients compared to their out-patient counterparts [21]. However, it has been reported that the highest volumes of antibiotics are being prescribed and consumed in ambulatory care [22] which would have resulted in higher prevalence of ESBL among out-patients isolates. Thus, the unregulated use of antibiotics in the facility may explain the findings in this study.…”

Perception and preferences of the doctors from the Health Centers towards the use of antibiotics in Prishtina, Kosovo

“…Since Kosovo has been our targeted country to be evaluated regarding the implications of antibiotic use, a historical description will clarify the reasons behind antibiotic use: Kosovo is a new country located in the southeastern part of Europe in the Balkan region with a surface of 10,908 km2 1 . Preliminary results from the 2011 general census report that in the Republic of Kosovo there are 1,733,842 inhabitants excluding the population from the northern part of Kosovo.…”

“…Health care in Kosovo has undergone important reforms in the last decade, but still faces major difficulties and obstacles, one being the lack of political engagement and scarce budgetary resources. The Kosovo health system is based on equality and social justice, consisting of: the primary health care centers located at the municipal level, secondary health facilities at the regional level (hospitals), and a single tertiary health care center 1 .…”

Relevance of fluoroquinolone use in a French teaching hospital

“…France is the second largest antibiotic consumer after Greece (ESAC data) [1] in Europe. Since 1996, national recommendations [2] have been developed to encourage French hospitals to curb antibiotic overprescribing.…”