Defined as quantities of antimicrobials used in a specific setting (total, community, hospital) during a specific period of time (e.g. days, months and year).

Refers to 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. The phrase is also used to describe any pathogen that is less susceptible than its counterparts to a specific antimicrobial compound (or combination thereof).

Enables the implementation of countries’ NAPs. It does this by developing and executing a strong implementation plan, linked to the country’s national developmental agenda, joined up across sectors.

Refers to 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.

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

A non-profit US-based organisation that supports the development of scientific and clinical standards and guidelines.

These are infections that are contracted outside of a hospital. Typically defined as those diagnosed via a laboratory confirmed sample within 48 hours of a patient being admitted to hospital.

A technical unit of drug consumption, defined as the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults.

It is the largest publicly funded system for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in Europe. Data from EARS-Net play an important role in raising awareness at the political level, among public health officials, in the scientific community and among the general public.

EUCAST is a standing committee jointly organised by ESCMID, ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) and European national breakpoint committees, and provides guidelines for conducting and interpreting AST.

A plan for tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide, endorsed at the World Health Assembly in 2015, with five strategic objectives.

A system for standardising and sharing surveillance data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide.

These are infections that are contracted in a hospital. Typically defined as those diagnosed via a laboratory confirmed sample at least 48 hours after a patient being admitted to hospital.

Based on the World Bank list of analytical income classification of economies.

In microbiology, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is the lowest concentration of a chemical, usually a drug, which prevents visible growth of a bacterium or bacteria. It is often expressed in micrograms per millilitre (μg/ml) or milligrams per litre (mg/L).

A plan for tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in a country that is aligned with the Global Action Plan on AMR.

In this document the term is used to refer to the centre that establishes and oversees the WHO GLASS platform recognised national surveillance system. It gathers AMR data from the surveillance sites and national reference laboratories and communicates this information to national policy makers and global surveillance systems.

Provides a reference service for other laboratories for confirmatory and/or additional testing of isolates. May also provide support for quality assurance, standardisation and training.

An approach to designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes. The areas of work in which a One Health approach is particularly relevant include food safety, the control of zoonoses (diseases that can spread between animals and humans, such as flu, rabies and Rift Valley Fever), and combatting antibiotic resistance (when bacteria change after being exposed to antibiotics and become more difficult to treat).

A standardised methodology for measuring antimicrobial use in hospital inpatients. It identifies all instances of a condition (such as AMR) at a particular point in time.

The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related data essential to planning, implementation and evaluation of public health practice.

Likely to be affected by something. In this module it is used within the context of bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility i.e. the degree to which bacteria are susceptible to the action of antimicrobials.

An agency of the United Nations, established in 1948, that is responsible for international public health. Its mandate includes advocating for universal healthcare, monitoring public health risks, coordinating responses to health emergencies, and promoting human health and wellbeing. It provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards and guidelines, and collects data on global health issues.