A recent study has found that age and gender play key roles in antibiotic resistance, with the likelihood of having a bloodstream infection resistant to antibiotics being linked to these factors. The study, which involved almost one million individuals across Europe, revealed different antimicrobial resistance trends for various bloodstream infections.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health concern, and understanding how resistance varies with age and gender is crucial due to the impact of both factors on antibiotic usage and the body’s response to infections.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) analyzed data from 29 European countries between 2015 and 2019, studying the bacteria causing infections and the antibiotics used. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, found that resistance patterns differed by age across Europe, with resistance being highest at the youngest and oldest ages for most bacteria, although there were exceptions.
Men generally faced a higher risk of resistance than women, and the occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) increased with age, while aminopenicillin resistance in Escherichia coli decreased with age. Some antimicrobial resistance profiles peaked in middle-age, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being most likely to be resistant to several antibiotics around 30 years of age, and the incidence of bloodstream infections due to E. coli peaking between ages 15 and 40 for women.
Dr. Gwen Knight from LSHTM emphasized the importance of understanding these patterns, stating, ‘Our study shows that resistance to antibiotics can vary depending on how old you are and whether you’re male or female. This is important to know so we can find better ways to tackle antibiotic resistance and protect people’s health.’ By comprehending these patterns, better strategies can be developed to combat antimicrobial resistance and safeguard individuals from infections that are challenging to treat with antibiotics.
Published By: Daphne Clarance
Published On: Mar 18, 2024
