Epidemiological surveillance where extra measures are taken to collect data and confirm diagnoses to ensure more complete reports for surveys and outbreak investigations. Active surveillance encompasses formal and informal communications.

A collection of data, usually in the form of a table, summarising the percentage of individual bacterial pathogens susceptible to different antimicrobial agents. An antibiogram is generated after bacteria are isolated (for example from a patient's tissues or body fluids), and subjected to laboratory testing. 

Any agent used to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites). This term applies whether the agent is intended for human, veterinary or agricultural applications.

Quantities of antimicrobials used in a specific setting (total, community, hospital) during a specific period of time (for example, days, months or years).

Infectious microbes that have acquired the ability to survive exposures to clinically relevant concentrations of antimicrobial drugs that would kill otherwise sensitive organisms of the same strain. This term is also used to describe any pathogen that is less susceptible than its counterparts to a specific antimicrobial compound (or combination thereof).

Coordinated interventions designed to promote, improve, monitor and evaluate the judicious use of antimicrobials so as to preserve their future effectiveness and to promote and protect human and animal health. Antimicrobial stewardship encompasses the 5Rs of antimicrobial use (AMU): responsibility, reduction, refinement, replacement and review.

A microbiological test to determine whether bacteria are susceptible or resistant to an antibiotic.

How antimicrobials are used, including treatment goal, treatment of populations versus targeted individuals, duration of use, route of administration, and species treated (that is, human, animal or plant).