The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has found that some bacteria have already developed resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam, an antibiotic that was only introduced to the NHS in 2017.
Despite the levels of resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam being low, the government agency said the findings from its study are an “important reminder” to ensure that antibiotics are used appropriately.
Responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and find ways to resist the effects of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs. As a result, infections become harder to treat and the risk of serious complications and death increases.
Although AMR occurs naturally, the use of antibiotics accelerates the process.
Ceftazidime/avibactam is used to treat some of the most serious infections in hospitals, usually after other antibiotics have failed or in patients who are infected with known multi-drug resistant bacteria. It is classed as a ‘reserve’ antibiotic, meaning it should be prescribed only in exceptional circumstances.
After analysing data from 2016 to 2020, the UKHSA found that 6.3% of bacteria tested in routine surveillance showed resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam. Percentage resistance per bacterial species was shown to vary over time and stabilised as routine surveillance testing was established.
Colin Brown, UKHSA deputy director responsible for AMR, said: “Research like this means clinicians and prescribers can access the most relevant information available to prescribe the best antibiotics for their patients, while protecting the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics for future use.
“We aren’t going to be able to tackle antibiotic resistance solely by finding new drugs. While we continue to support innovation in developing new treatments, resistance will emerge and so it’s important that we all work together to keep antibiotics working.”
The UK government has a focus on tackling AMR. In May 2024, it announced the launch of a new five-year AMR national action plan committing the UK to reducing its use of antimicrobials.
The commitments outlined in the plan also included strengthening the surveillance of drug-resistant infections before they emerge, supporting low- and middle-income countries to respond to the threat of AMR and incentivising the development of new vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, including alternatives to antimicrobials.