6 Strengthening AMR data analysis locally and globally

AMR surveillance programs are often focused on generating and reporting descriptive statistics, which is valuable given the lack of available knowledge in many species and contexts. However, there are several steps that we can take as a global AMR community to improve the quality of information we have to combat the threat of AMR. Inferential data analysis plays a key role in this context. It is also important to focus on assessing the impact of factors that we can control, given that AMR is also influenced by factors that we cannot readily change. For example, there is ongoing research to identify the duration of antimicrobial treatment that optimises individual patient or animal outcomes whilst minimising the risk of AMR. This research will inform recommendations on optimising antimicrobial course length for both doctors and veterinarians.

Another area of active research is the link between AMU in animals and AMR in humans. This is relevant for improving antimicrobial stewardship programmes in agriculture and understanding how and when a decline in antimicrobial use in agriculture would be expected to lead to a decline in AMR in pathogens carried by humans. Finally, there are ongoing efforts to manage AMR better worldwide through establishment of effective, standardised global protocols for analysis of AMR data. Current efforts include GLASS [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] and the OIE’s global monitoring of AMU in animals. Global efforts also focus on creating ways for AMR data to more directly benefit users (such as patients, farmers, clinicians and veterinarians), as this is key to support long-term, high-quality data collection.