Increasing Globalization and the Movement of Antimicrobial Resistance between Countries

The threat of antimicrobial resistance continues to grow worldwide, exacerbated by poor antibiotic stewardship practices, limited development of new antimicrobial agents, and increasing globalization.

This review covers previously published studies examining how human movement contributes to the global spread of antimicrobial resistance, including between low- and middle-income and high-income countries.

The emergence of resistance in one country or part of the world can become a worldwide event quickly. Human movement, including travel, medical tourism, military service, and migration, results in the globalization of resistant bacterial strains.

Increased surveillance, whole-genome sequencing, focused infection control, and effective stewardship practices are needed to maintain the efficacy of antibiotics.